LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and mourning the passing of
Tuskegee Airman William Alexander Samber, Sr.

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Tuskegee Airman William Samber, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, William Samber died on November 23, 2011 at the age of 92;
and
WHEREAS, Born on December 6, 1918 in Key West, Florida, William Samber
was the son of the late William and Mabel (Henzie) Samber; he was the
oldest of four children, all of whom are deceased; and
WHEREAS, While in Florida, William Samber attended Frederick Douglass
Elementary School; he was raised in the church and cherished his moth-
er's Christian teachings; at a young age, he strived for excellence and
was desirous of making a difference; and
WHEREAS, In 1933, William Samber's family moved to New York City where
he attended James Fenimore Junior High School; committed to excellence
and living up to his mother's expectations, William graduated as the
Class Salutatorian; and
WHEREAS, As a DeWitt Clinton High School student, William Samber
excelled in all his subjects, but was a master of mathematics scoring
perfect on Regents Examinations; his dedication to the needy found him
majoring in Sociology at the City College of New York, where he earned
his first college baccalaureate degree in 1942; and
WHEREAS, In the interim of William Samber's pursuit for higher educa-
tion was the outset of World War II; he volunteered for the United
States Army Air Force and earned a perfect score on the Air Force
Entrance exam; he was sent to the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama and
became one of the "Original" Tuskegee Airmen who served in the Mediter-
ranean Theater of Operations during the war; and
WHEREAS, A Control Tower Operator, William Samber had distinct know-
ledge of cloud weather patterns, mathematics and changed secret radio
codes and instructions; this particular skill helped him to support and
navigate his pilots effectively; and
WHEREAS, William Samber also assisted enlisted men take correspondence
courses while in combat; he taught the men mathematics as well as other
subjects, helping them complete the requirements in order to receive
their high school diplomas; and
WHEREAS, William Samber served in the 301st Fighter Squadron, 332nd
Fighter Group; he served with pride and dedication and was honorably
discharged; and
WHEREAS, During the war, William Samber met and married his wife,
Fanny Augustine Sparks Samber on February 4, 1945; after the war, he
later went on to continue his education at the State University of New
York, which helped him start his educational career as a teacher at
George Westinghouse High School; and
WHEREAS, William Samber then went on to fulfill all requirements to
become an administrator; he served as an Assistant Principal at Halsey
Jr. High School and later became Principal at Roland Hayes Intermediate
School 291; and
WHEREAS, A brilliant scholar, William Samber earned his master's
degree in Guidance Counseling from Queens College and also received his
master's degree in Educational Administration from Columbia University;
in addition, he earned a Professional Diploma from Fordham University;
and
WHEREAS, Over the years, William Samber tirelessly tutored high school
students who failed algebra and plane geometry, trained paraprofession-

als to work effectively with math teachers, and was the Institutional
Representative of Boy Scout Troop 422 at the Calvary AME Zion Church;
and
WHEREAS, On March 29, 2007, William Samber, was honored for his
heroism and bravery as an "Original" Tuskegee Airman receiving the
Congressional Medal of Honor at our Nation's Capitol; he served as the
Education Captain of the AfricanAmerican/Caribbean Education Associ-
ation; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, siblings and wife, William Samber
is survived by his beloved children Joyce and Billy, along with many
nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, William Samber 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 William
Alexander Samber, Sr.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of William Alexander Samber, Sr.