LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and mourning the passing of
Tuskegee Airman Clarence W. Dart

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Tuskegee Airman Clarence W. Dart, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Dart died on Friday, February 17, 2012 at the age of
91; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 6, 1920 in Elmira, New York, Clarence Dart
was the son of the late Clarence and Catherine (Austin) Dart; and
WHEREAS, A 1932 graduate of Elmira Free Academy, Clarence Dart was
drafted in 1942, entering the United States Army Air Corps during World
War II; he also attended the Elmira Aviation Ground School; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Dart served as a member of the 332nd Fighter Group
and was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron in the 12th Air Force in
North Africa; as a Tuskegee Airman flying P-40s with the 318th Army Air
Force Unit Squadron F, he flew 95 missions and was shot down twice; and
WHEREAS, A recipient of two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained
during air combat, Clarence Dart later retired as Lieutenant Colonel,
having also flown aboard P-51s escorting 15th Air Force bombers; he then
attended Aero Industries Tech Institute in California, General Electric
Flight Test School and was affiliated with GE's Knolls Atomic Power
Laboratory from 1950 through 1987; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Dart received many commendations, awards and medals,
including five Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal with four oak
leaf clusters, the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the New
York State Service Star; he was later inducted into the Elmira Free
Academy Wall of Fame and was a 2011 inductee into the New York State
Senate Veterans Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2007, Clarence Dart and his fellow airmen were
also recognized at the United States Capitol with the Congressional Gold
Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress may bestow; a noted
guest speaker on black history at various local schools, colleges and
universities, his community service includes the Charlton School for
Girls Trustee Board, the Salvation Army Board, Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation Community Relations Board, New York State Air Museum AIM
High Program along with the finance committees of both the Troy Confer-
ence of the United Methodist Church and the Saratoga Springs United
Methodist Church of which he was a devoted member; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by a son Clarence, Clarence Dart is survived by
his wife, Millie; his eight children, Rose, Warren, Katherine, Gwendo-
lyn, Denise, Dawn, Joyce, and Cynthia; as well as eight grandchildren,
Tyrone, Jessica, Kristen, Keith, Jonathan, Devine, D. Gregor and Natha-
nial Providence, along with one great-granddaughter, Layla; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Clarence Dart leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and mourn the passing of Tuskegee Airman Clarence W.
Dart; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Clarence W. Dart.