[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           WOMEN OF CONGRESS' MEMORIAL WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with you a 
historic event I convened yesterday so that my colleagues and I could 
celebrate Women's History Month. I would like to share with you my 
remarks at the first Women of Congress' Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the 
Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National 
Cemetery:
  Good afternoon, I'd like to thank my friends and colleagues 
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly, 
Congresswoman Tillie Fowler, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and 
Congresswoman  Corrine Brown for being here at the Women of Congress' 
Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony. We have come today to honor the brave 
women who served in our Armed Services and to recognize their 
outstanding service to this country and the ultimate sacrifice that was 
made to enable us to have the freedom we so much enjoy as a country. It 
seems fitting that we pay homage to them during Women's History Month 
and to salute them for their contributions as patriots of this great 
nation. So we have come to this shrine that was built as a lasting 
memorial of their service, bravery and sacrifice during military 
conflicts dating back to the founding of America. Without the heroic 
efforts of American service women, we would not be here today.
  Women In Military Service for America Memorial was dedicated on 
October 18, 1997. This is the first major, national Memorial honoring 
all military women of all eras, past, present and future.
  Women have served in all of America's major conflicts. Beginning with 
the American Revolution--when some women disguised themselves as men to 
join the Continental Army.
  In the wars of the 18th and 19th centuries and during the Civil War 
women were hired to provide medical care, forage for supplies, cook, 
make clothing, engage in sabotage, scout and serve as couriers. Dr. 
Mary Walker, an Army physician who served during the Civil War, was the 
first and only woman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for her 
work in treating patients.
  Women were first recruited as members of the armed services in World 
War I. With more than 35,000 women having served in roles ranging from 
nurses to telephone operators. It was the first war in which American 
women served overseas.
  More than 350,000 women served in World War II, which included the 
first female officers. More than 200 military women of the Women's Army 
Corps and Women Air Force Service Pilots died in action overseas or 
ferrying aircraft; and 88 were held as prisoners of war.
  In the Gulf War (July 2, 1990 to April 6, 1991), women accounted for 
35,000 of the 540,000 U.S. troops. Although they were not assigned to 
combat by law, these women ferried fuel, food and troops into combat 
areas. Two women were taken prisoner and 11 died.
  The Number of Women Who Served in U.S. Military Conflicts are:
  Persian Gulf--41,000
  Panama--770
  Grenada--170
  Vietnam--7,500
  Korea--48,000
  World War II--350,000
  World War I--35,000
  Spanish-American War--1,500
  As we lay this wreath, may it symbolize the appreciation we have for 
the courageous servicewomen who dedicated their lives for their 
country.
  We appreciate the service and the lives of these noble women. May 
they always be remembered for their bravery.

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