HAL KING TO BE HONORED FOR SERVICE WITH FAMED WWII UNIT ON MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2007

Washington, Jun 22, 2007 - "Although our nation was segregated during World War II, nearly 1,000 black Americans stepped forward to serve in a special Army Air Corps program to train as pilots," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "The training took place in Tuskegee, Alabama, and they became the famed Tuskegee Airmen, who went on to establish an astounding record in combat.  I look forward to presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to Hal King, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, for his service to our nation."
Stearns will be in Lady Lake on Monday, June 25th to present the medal to Mr. King.  In March, some 300 Tuskegee Airmen and their families attended an event in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., receiving the Congressional Gold Medal.  However, not all of the Tuskegee Airmen attended this event and Stearns would like to ensure that they receive the honors they earned.  Stearns is setting up an event on July 23rd to present the medal to Tuskegee Airmen living in the Sixth Congressional District, and is trying to identify all of the Airmen living in the District.  Mr. King is attending a family reunion and would like to have the medal to share with loved ones, so Stearns will go to Mr. King's home to present the medal and a letter of thanks.