S3790 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 22, 1996 The result of his efforts ranged from Gen. Daniel ‘‘Chappie’’ James, the Na- mingham-Southern College Sports Hall the creation of jobs for hundreds of tion’s first four-star black general; and of Fame on Saturday, April 27. As a thousands of American workers, to a William Coleman, Transportation Sec- member of the Sports Hall of Fame’s special job for a singular American, retary under former President Ford. Class of 1996, Congressman Battle will Bill Clinton, now President of the The inspirational story of the 332d be honored and recognized for his many United States. Fighter Group was told in a 1995 movie, athletic achievements while at Bir- Ron Brown’s legacy of achievement ‘‘The Tuskegee Airmen.’’ mingham-Southern and since. is a beacon of hope to all Americans, In 1939, a decade after obtaining his Laurie Battle was born in precisely because he exemplified the own flying license, Charles Anderson Wilsonville, AL in 1912, attended ele- possibilities when the higher angels of began a civilian pilot training program mentary school in Jefferson County, the American character prevail. He at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute, now and moved to my hometown, overcame potential limitations, and Tuskegee University. In 1940, First Tuscumbia, in 1926. He graduated from turned liabilities into assets by dint of Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited the Deshler High School in 1930 and went commitment, effort, and talent. His campus and decided to take a plane on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in was the essential American success ride. At that time, an erroneously-held psychology at Birmingham-Southern, story. But his was also a success story view was that blacks could not fly my alma mater. He later earned his for all humanity. Ron Brown was not a planes. Mrs. Roosevelt brushed aside master’s degree in sociology at Ohio selfish person. His life was dedicated to the nervous warnings of her Secret State University. During World War II, reaching out to others in pursuit of the Service detail and went on a long ride he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, common good. That legacy is no more with Anderson, landing safely nearly rising to the rank of major, with serv- poignantly demonstrated than in the an hour later. ice in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. He young people to whom he gave oppor- Soon after, Tuskegee Institute was was awarded a Bronze Star for his tunity and guidance and a chance. Ron chosen for an experimental Army Air bravery and remained in the Reserves Brown did not pull the ladder of suc- Corps Program designed to determine until 1972. cess up behind him. whether black men could be successful He was first elected to the U.S. Con- I count myself among the fortunate pilots. The participants, many of whom gress in 1946, serving four consecutive proteges of Ron Brown. He helped came from small towns all across terms from 1947 until 1955. After retir- make my history-making election to America, passed rigorous tests to join ing from the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate possible. I was only what became the 332d Fighter Group. he began a career in the insurance one of many of his students. Several Anderson was the chief flight instruc- business in Birmingham. The former others died with him that day. tor, thus earning him the nickname Congressman later served as a govern- Ron Brown’s passing has been pub- ‘‘Chief,’’ by which he was widely known ment relations executive in Wash- licly mourned by millions, and created throughout the rest of his life. ington, DC, and as staff director and an opportunity for a public expression The Tuskegee Airmen overcame ex- counsel for the House of Representa- of gratitude for his public service. I treme prejudice to win combat status, tives Rules Committee from 1966–76. He hope the families of those who perished allegedly only after Mrs. Roosevelt was later a special adviser to the U.S. with him will take some measure of pressed their case with her husband. League of Savings Associations. that expression as gratitude in mourn- The unit escorted American bombers Laurie Battle is well-renowned for ing for the lost ones: Ron Brown, Kath- over Europe and North Africa, pro- his athletic ability. Although he is now ryn Hoffman; Duane Christian; Carol viding a virtually impenetrable shield retired, he still plays paddleball with Hamilton; Bill Morton; Chuck Meiss- while downing hundreds of German one of his constituents, former Ala- ner; Gail Dobert; Lawrence Payne; fighters. After the war, Anderson man- bama Congressman Ben Erdreich, now Adam Darling; Steve Kaminski; Naomi aged an aircraft-sales business and con- chairman of the U.S. Merit Systems Warbasse; Kathy Kellogg; Jim Lewek; tinued to give flight instruction at Protection Board. They play twice a Lee Jackson; Dragica Lendic Bebek; Tuskegee. By this time, he had earned week in the House gymnasium, even as Niksa Antonini; Nathaniel Nash; Barry the title of ‘‘Father of Black Avia- Congressman Battle approaches his Conrad; Paul Cushman; Robert Dono- tion.’’ 84th birthday on May 10. He was Ben’s van; Claudio Elia; Leonard Pieroni; Chief Anderson borrowed $2,500 from Congressman when he was in high John Scoville; Donald Terner; Stuart friends and relatives and bought a used school in Jefferson County. Tholan; David Ford; Frank Maier; Wal- airplane when he was only 22. He I am pleased to commend and con- ter Murphy; Robert Whittaker; Ashley learned to fly by reading books and gratulate former Congressman Laurie Davis; Tim Schafer; Gerald Aldrich; getting tips from the white pilots who Battle for accomplishing so much dur- Robert Farrington, Jr.; Cheryl were willing to be cooperative. He ing his outstanding and colorful career, Turnage; Shelly Kelly. eventually became the first black pilot and especially for this latest honor of We will, as a community, have to to hold an air transport license. He being inducted into Birmingham- close ranks to go forward without flew a round trip transcontinental Southern’s Sports Hall of Fame. them, but with God’s grace the mark flight in 1933 and is believed to have f they made in service to us all will flown the first land plane to the Baha- KATHRYN HOFFMAN AND GAIL carry on. mas in 1934. He flew up until a few DOBERT—LIVES OF PROMISE f years ago, still willing to teach anyone CUT SHORT TRIBUTE TO ‘‘CHIEF’’ CHARLES who wanted to learn. ALFRED ANDERSON, FATHER OF Chief Charles Anderson was a great Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the BLACK AVIATION American and an outstanding, com- tragic plane crash in Croatia on April 3 Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, one of mitted teacher who will forever be re- that took the life of Secretary of Com- the great pioneers of aviation passed membered as someone who overcame merce Ron Brown also took the lives of away on Saturday, April 13, at the age unfair barriers and prejudice to change 34 other men and women of great tal- of 89 at his home in Tuskegee, AL. the course of history. I extend my sin- ent, promise, and dedication, including Charles Alfred Anderson, who as a cerest condolences to his family in the 11 other employees of the Department young boy dreamed of soaring through wake of this tremendous loss and share of Commerce. the skies as a pilot, leaves a legacy of their enormous pride in all that he ac- Since that tragedy, many eloquent breaking down racial barriers in the complished. words have been spoken and written field of aviation. He did this by train- f about all of the victims. In two of the ing a famed unit of black fighter pilots most eloquent articles I have seen. Mi- during World War II, known since as TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESS- chael Wilbon wrote extremely mov- the Tuskegee Airmen. MAN LAURIE CALVIN BATTLE ingly in the Washington Post on April Among the members of Chief Ander- Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, former 5 about his friend Kathryn Hoffman, son’s unit were Coleman Young, who Alabama Congressman Laurie Calvin and Cindy Loose wrote equally mov- later became the mayor of Detroit; Battle will be inducted into the Bir- ingly in the Post yesterday about the

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