(Photos/U.S. archives)
By Troy Turner
A congressional bill proposing the creation of a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the Tuskegee Airmen gained support late last week with additional co-sponsors backing the measure, which now must be approved by the committees assigned to review it before it can take the next step.
Alabama Rep. Shomari C. Figures introduced the bill and his state colleagues in the House quickly signed on to co-sponsor it, including Reps. Mike Rogers, Dale Strong, Robert Anderholt, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer and Terri Sewell.
The bipartisan bill began with 10 original co-sponsors, but by Friday the list had grown to 27, including Democrats and Republicans.
The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Act of 2026, or H.R. 9849, calls for the establishment of “a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate the commitment and service represented by the original Tuskegee Airmen that served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.”
The famed Tuskegee Airmen first made headlines by breaking racial barriers to become the first black aviators in the U.S. military, but later because of their well-documented success in combat, including as escorts for American bombers flying missions deep over enemy territory late in the war.
The airmen trained on a rural airfield in Tuskegee, located in central Alabama’s Macon County.
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site was established there in 1998, but support has grown over the years for a memorial to be placed in Washington where numerous other monuments and markers pay tribute to American heroes and historical figures.
“The Tuskegee Airmen are among the most heroic and consequential soldiers that our nation has ever had,” Figures said. “While facing horrific discrimination at home, these men risked their lives to defend rights and freedoms abroad.
“Their courage, skill and unwavering dedication not only contributed to the Allied victory but also helped pave the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military. Their contributions to our country deserve to be memorialized in our nation’s capital, and I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to make that a reality.”
The bill was sent to two House committees for consideration, Natural Resources, and Budget.
One of those committees must review and approve it, with the opportunity to make changes, before it can be sent to the full House of Representatives. If the full House approves it, a similar process would be required by the Senate; then a final successful bill would be presented to the president to be signed into law, vetoed, or left unsigned to automatically pass.
“The Tuskegee Airmen answered the call to serve our country at a time when they faced discrimination both in and outside of the military,” said Ohio Rep. Emilia Sykes. “Their service helped change the course of American history, and their story reflects the importance of recognizing those who have fought to make our nation stronger.
“I am proud to support this bipartisan effort to ensure their contributions are honored in our nation’s capital.”
Troy Turner is the founder, editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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