Lawmakers hear testimony supporting designation of fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

Veterans, chapter leaders and community members asked the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on May 12 to designate the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day to preserve local history and inspire future generations.

Speakers described Massachusetts connections to the Tuskegee Airmen — pilots and thousands of support personnel who trained and served in segregated units in World War II — and argued the state designation would promote public memory and aviation and STEM outreach.

Thomas Washington, who described himself as a former Air Force officer and test pilot, told the committee the proposal is “about recognizing a group of patriots who during a country's time of war stood up and said they want to contribute.” Sean Osborne and Willie Shulman, officers with local chapters of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., detailed local veterans and called for the Commonwealth to formally recognize their service.

Speakers emphasized educational benefits: local chapter leaders said the commemoration could provide material for school curricula and recruitment into aviation careers and noted several Massachusetts residents who served with the Tuskegee units. Willie Shulman noted that some veterans remain living in the Commonwealth and urged the committee to advance the bill so families can celebrate the designation while veterans are alive.

The committee accepted testimony and did not vote during the hearing. Witnesses asked for a favorable committee report so the Legislature can consider the measure during the session. The bill text would establish an annual day of commemoration and encourage outreach and programming in schools and veterans’ organizations.

No formal opposition appeared on the record at the hearing.