[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN'S OVERSEAS SERVICE LEAGUE AND WOMEN WARTIME 
                               VOLUNTEERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to invite my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the efforts of the Women's Overseas Service League 
(WOSL) and in honoring the many women who have selflessly volunteered 
to assist our armed forces during time of war. In World War I, more 
than 90,000 civilian women served as volunteers and nearly 350 women 
gave their lives in this effort. Women served in both World Wars, the 
Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf, and in many other conflicts. As these 
women returned to the United States, however, they came home without 
the benefits that male soldiers received. Because these women were not 
considered ``veterans,'' their contribution to the Armed Forces was, 
until recently, practically unnoticed.
  Mr. Speaker, women played many important roles in the WOSL. Women ran 
recreation centers, created libraries for the military, taught in 
hospitals and schools, and worked as journalists. By participating in 
these humanitarian activities, these women risked their lives and their 
health. In recognition of the great services these women provided our 
Armed Services, a memorial freeway in California was named in their 
honor on May 29, 2000.
  The Women's Overseas Service League honors and recognizes the women 
who have graciously volunteered for their country. Currently, the WOSL 
supports the Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C. and Freedoms 
Foundation Youth Leadership Seminars at Valley Forge. WOSL offers 
scholarships for young women pursuing military careers and has 
vigorously supported events such as the creation of the Civilian Women 
Volunteers All Wars Memorial Highway. The WOSL's dedication to women 
veterans and volunteers has made a large impact in keeping the memory 
of these individuals alive and ensuring strong support of women in the 
military for the future.
  Mr. Speaker, groups such as the Women's Overseas Service League have 
started to spread awareness of women in the military. The Civilian 
Women Volunteers All Wars Memorial Freeway is the beginning in honoring 
women who have served our country. Nevertheless, it is only a 
beginning. The women who gave their time, their health and their lives 
deserve our recognition and our gratitude for their outstanding 
contribution to our Armed Forces and to our nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
the women volunteers who have served so valiantly.




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