Alabama delegation backs bill to name post office after Tuskegee Airmen

WASHINGTON — On Veterans Day, Alabama’s entire House delegation supports a bill to rename a post office in Tuskegee after the African American pilots who fought in World War II. Congressman Shomari Figures is sponsoring the legislation.

The bipartisan bill would designate the U.S. post office at 401 North Elm Street as the “Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office.”

“Designating the Tuskegee Post Office as the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office is a meaningful way to honor the legacy of these trailblazing heroes, and I’m proud to do this on my first Veterans Day with the full support of Alabama’s congressional delegation,” Figures, D-Mobile, said in a statement. He was elected to Congress last year.

The pilots and support crews trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield and broke racial barriers with their service. The Tuskegee Airmen, known as the “Red Tails” were the nation’s first Black military pilots who served in a segregated WWII unit and their all-Black 332nd Fighter Group had one of the lowest loss records of all the bomber escorts in the war.

Alabama’s House delegation, Reps. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, Mike Rogers, R-Saks, Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, and Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, all signed on as cosponsors of the legislation.

“The Tuskegee Airmen, whom I especially honor on my first Veterans Day, not only broke barriers in our armed forces but also inspired generations of Americans to serve with courage, integrity, and pride,” Figures said. “This recognition ensures that their sacrifice, bravery, and historic contributions to our nation will never be forgotten.”

The Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated also supports the bill. It has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

At the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the Tuskegee Airmen were in the news when the Air Force removed training videos about the pilots from its curriculum to comply with the president’s executive order prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government. After intense backlash, including from Alabama’s delegation, the move was reversed.