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1999 SESSION

996063252
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 616
Offered January 20, 1999
Commending Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
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Patrons-- Jones, J.C., Abbitt, Almand, Armstrong, Barlow, Baskerville, Behm, Bennett, Black, Brink, Christian, Clement, Councill, Cranwell, Crittenden, Croshaw, Davies, Day, DeBoer, Deeds, Diamonstein, Dickinson, Grayson, Hall, Harris, Hull, Jackson, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Katzen, McEachin, Melvin, Moran, Murphy, Phillips, Plum, Puller, Robinson, Scott, Shuler, Stump, Tate, Thomas, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Watts, Williams and Woodrum
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WHEREAS, in belated recognition of his manifold contributions to the United States Air Force, General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., was awarded his fourth star by President Clinton on December 9, 1998; and

WHEREAS, General Davis’ military career is an inspiring story of courage, perseverance, and notable achievement over a span of more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, by becoming the first black man this century to graduate from West Point, Benjamin Davis, Jr., both fulfilled his family’s destiny—his father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., was the U.S. Army’s first black general—and overcame the hostility of his classmates to graduate near the top of his class; and

WHEREAS, in 1940, when President Roosevelt ordered the creation of a black military flying group, Benjamin Davis’ dream of becoming an aviator, frustrated until that time, was fulfilled; and

WHEREAS, in 1942, Benjamin Davis was named commander of the all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron—the famed Tuskegee Airmen—and led the squadron into battle in Europe during World War II; and

WHEREAS, under the command of Benjamin Davis, the Tuskegee Airmen, flying escorts for Allied bombers, won the distinction of never losing a single bomber to enemy action; and

WHEREAS, after President Truman ordered an end to racially segregated military units in 1948, Benjamin Davis served with great distinction in various Air Force assignments that took him to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Germany; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Davis became the first black general in the Air Force and is widely credited with serving as a catalyst for the eventual racial integration of the armed forces; and

WHEREAS, by awarding General Davis his well-deserved fourth star, the nation recognizes his exceptional contributions to the U.S. Air Force and to the cause of racial equality throughout the U.S. armed services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s great respect for his lifetime of distinguished service to the nation.