[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO RUTH BECKER

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a distinguished 
Wisconsinite, Mrs. Ruth (Nowicki) Becker of Altoona, WI. Mrs. Becker, 
who just turned 75, attended the dedication of the Memorial to the 
Women in Service at Arlington National Cemetery on October 18, 1997. 
Ruth is one of approximately 1.8 million women who have served in the 
U.S. Armed Forces and we honor her as does the memorial for serving our 
country proudly.
  Mrs. Becker enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served as a WAVE, 
Women's Auxiliary for Volunteer Emergency Service, during World War II. 
Ruth's responsibilities took her to New York City and Washington, DC 
where she worked in naval communications for Pacific theater operations 
until February 1946.
  Ruth is a charter member for the women's memorial project which has 
transformed Arlington National Cemetery's 75-year-old main entrance 
gate into a shrine honoring the Nation's women veterans. The memorial 
will house a museum, a 196-seat auditorium, a Hall of Honor, and an 
education center on military history. Mr. President, Ruth Becker served 
our country with pride and we honor her, as we also honor all women who 
have served our country proudly.

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