[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE SERVICE WOMEN OF GUAM ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 
         OF THE WOMAN'S ARMED SERVICES INTEGRATION ACT OF 1948

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                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute in 
the name of equality, in the name of justice and in the name of 
opportunity. Fifty years ago, President Harry S. Truman issued an 
executive order, desegregating the U.S. Armed Forces and signed into 
law the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. This monumental piece 
of legislation was the realization of, at the time, a one hundred year 
struggle for women's rights. It begun in 1848 with the ``Declaration of 
Sentiments'' in Seneca Falls, New York where women for the first time 
congregated together to discuss women's rights. Their immediate cause 
was achieved in 1920, when women were granted suffrage--the right to 
vote and participate in the American political family. In the 1920's 
women were asserting their rightful place in the workforce and began to 
embrace their independence in unimaginable ways. Yet, women were still 
not accepted as full fledged participants among the social and cultural 
fabric of American life. They were still treated as second-class 
citizens, in the male-dominated workplace. Few women were permitted 
entry into high executive positions, law schools and medical schools.
  The onset of the Second World War, flooded the work place with tens 
of thousands of women eager to help the war effort by laboring in the 
factories producing valuable war supplies and armaments. These 
patriotic women showed America their superb abilities in tackling jobs 
that were previously performed only by men. Through their efforts, 
these pioneering women laid the seeds of the modern women's movement by 
forcing America to conform the double-standard in basic civil and 
social rights. There were many women who sacrificed much for the war 
effort by participating in the WAACS, the WAVES and the USO. Some women 
even volunteered for the hazardous assignments of being a test-pilot 
(WASPs) for new fighter aircraft or agents for the Office of Strategic 
Service (OSS). Many were nurses, codebreakers, truck drivers, and 
clerks. Most served at home but there were many who were assigned to 
front line areas. They risked their lives in the same combat zones as 
their male counterparts and in some cases died while performing their 
essential duties.
  After the war, these courageous women were told to return to the 
homes and kitchens of America. The ironic injustice of helping to 
defeat oppression overseas and yet be denied equity at home did not 
pass un-noticed. With the force of history held in the balance, 
President Truman's executive order and Senator Margaret Chase Smith's 
Women's Armed Services Integration Act were both signed into law. The 
act authorized regular and reserve status for women in the Army, Navy, 
Air Force and Marine Corps. All at once, women, at least in the 
military, had finally achieved a significant step towards equality.
  Since 1948, many of the limitations that were included in the act 
have been amended to ensure even greater equity for women in the 
military. As a result, women today may attend the service academies, 
train and serve in gender-integrated units and in many cases women have 
risen to general and flag officer ranks. As a direct result of this 
historic act, women are now able to fully participate and serve in the 
U.S. Armed Forces. Today, about 200,000 women serve on active duty and 
make up about 14% of the force; and about 225,000 women serve in the 
reserve components and comprise 15.5% of their strength.
  Mr. Speaker, the Women's Integration Act laid down the foundation for 
the future achievement of America's women in the Armed Services. Today 
we celebrate and honor the past and present achievements of Guam's 
daughters who have dedicated their lives in some capacity to the 
service of their country. Women such as the late Lieutenant Colonel 
Marilyn Won Pat (U.S. Army), Lieutenant Colonel Evelyn Salas Leon 
Guerro (Guam Army National Guard) and Master Sergeant Victoria R. 
Laganse (U.S. Army) are just a few of the high quality individuals who 
have served with honor and distinction. These dedicated few represent 
all of the women of Guam in their greater struggle for equality of 
women's rights. It has been 150 years since the first American 
convention of women's rights in 1848. And although our society has made 
progress towards the goal of complete enfranchisement for women, we can 
no doubt look forward towards an even brighter future, in part due to 
the work and accolades achieved by our service women. As members of 
Guam's family we are all justly proud of Guam's women military 
``pioneers'' and extend to them an official Dangkulo Si Yu'os Ma'ase in 
their honor.

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