Washington, D.C  -  U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers announced this morning that the Tuskegee Airmen National Memorial should receive $1.5 million in construction funding for Fiscal Year 2005, a significant development for the $29 million Macon County project which could help advance its official groundbreaking to as early as next year.

“The Tuskegee Airmen National Memorial is vital for Macon County’s economic development and a fitting tribute to some of our nation’s most honored African Americans,” Rogers said. “I am pleased we were able to advance the funding for this project, and appreciate the support of Subcommittee Chairman Taylor (R-NC) for this vital initiative.”

The earmark, which passed a markup in the Interior Subcommittee on Appropriations today, should appear in the Interior Department appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2005. Rogers said while the legislation has several steps to go before final passage, this is a very important first step. “This is great news for the citizens of East Alabama, and shows the momentum we’re building in Congress to get the Tuskegee Airmen project moving forward,” Rogers added.

The full Appropriations Committee is expected to consider the Interior Department appropriations bill in the next several weeks. Rogers said he was confident the $1.5 million for the memorial would remain in the bill, and ultimately be passed by both houses of Congress later this year.

 Rogers’ earmark would help the National Park Service begin initial site construction and preparation. Late last year, Rogers helped free up an initial $1 million for the project, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Macon County each year.

From 1942 to 1946, nine hundred ninety-two soldiers graduated in aviation cadet classes at Tuskegee and volunteered to become the country’s first African American military airmen. The current mission of the Tuskegee Airmen is to inspire young people to study, sacrifice, and attain self-sustaining status with marketable skills in the fields of aviation and aerospace.