S*1206 Concurrent Resolution, By Washington, Alexander, S. Boan, Bryan, Cork, 
Courson, Courtney, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Giese, Glover, Gregory, Hayes, 
Holland, Jackson, Land, Lander, Leatherman, Leventis, Martin, Matthews, 
McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Passailaigue, Patterson, Peeler, 
Rankin, Reese, L.E. Richter, M.T. Rose, Russell, Ryberg, Saleeby, Setzler, 
Short, G. Smith, J.V. Smith, Thomas, Waldrep and Wilson
 A Concurrent Resolution to recognize the many accomplishments of Mr. Ernest
 Henderson, Sr., training instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen.

   02/29/96  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-8
   03/05/96  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-4

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. ERNEST HENDERSON, SR., TRAINING INSTRUCTOR FOR THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN.

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson, Sr. was born and raised in Laurens County, South Carolina; and

Whereas, at the age of 25 Mr. Henderson became a proficient civilian pilot and flight instructor in the Army Air Corps; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson is a pioneer in that he bears the distinction as the first African American pilot from South Carolina to get a commercial pilot license, and hold ground instructor, flight instructor, and instrument ratings; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson was trained and graduated from the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Tuskegee Institute; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson, upon graduation from the Civilian Pilot Training Program, was employed as a flight instructor in the Army Corps Aviation Cadet program; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson swiftly rose to the position of assistant squadron commander and was charged with the duty of administering flight tests and flight examinations to cadets seeking graduation; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson trained an average of 20 cadets a year who entered the all African American 99th Pursuit Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen), which was distinguished as an elite aerial combat unit in the European and World arena during World War II; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson's acumen as a flight instructor allowed him to teach the pilots he instructed on propeller planes maneuvers that allowed them to outwit German jets; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson endured and overcame many hardships and obstacles in the form of racial attitudes and laws designed to prevent active and meaningful participation in the military by African Americans; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson's achievements in the arena of aviation were ground-breaking and opened new frontiers to young African Americans who wanted to pursue careers as pilots; and

Whereas, due to Mr. Henderson's unprecedented work and untiring efforts to prove that African Americans could indeed fly and even excel as pilots, a legacy of aviation excellence has been created and the contributions of African American pilots have been forever chronicled in the annals of history; and

Whereas, the legendary 99th Pursuit Squadron is world-renowned for its bravery, valor, and success as a bomber escort and fighter unit due directly to the training and discipline instilled by Mr. Henderson; and

Whereas, Mr. Ernest Henderson's untiring devotion and indomitable spirit remain strong to this day and have allowed him to further extend his legacy by contributing his time and efforts as a businessman, as a teacher, assistant principal, and counselor at W.G. Sanders Middle School, formerly Fairwold Middle School, and Crayton Middle School, and as an avid lecturer; and

Whereas, Mr. Henderson returned to his beloved home state of South Carolina in 1949 and continued his work with aviation by organizing the Black Eagles to train pilots in Columbia. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly honor Mr. Ernest Henderson for his contributions to American military aviation through the Tuskegee Airmen, to civilian aviation, and to the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Henderson.