[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN IN THE MILITARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, 
Representative Slaughter and the rest of the Congressional Caucus for 
Women's Issues. Today, the 6th Annual Women in Military Wreath Laying 
Ceremony hosted by the Caucus was held at Arlington Cemetery. The 
purpose is to honor our nation's servicewomen and women veterans for 
their courage and achievements, and to remember women who have died in 
service to the United States.
  I would like to take some time to recognize the five honorees of this 
ceremony. These women serve their respective branches with honor, 
dignity, and courage. These highly decorated leaders chose to defend 
our freedom and embody the spirit of those that served before them.
  Command Sergeant Major Michele S. Jones, U.S. Army Reserve, has held 
many leadership positions within the Department of the Army. She 
entered the Army in September of 1982. As the first woman to serve as 
class president at the United States Sergeants Major Academy (Class 
48), she distinguished herself and went on to be the first woman to 
serve as the CSM of the Army Reserve.
  CSM Jones has held every key NCO position, to include squad leader, 
section leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant and command sergeant 
major. Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, 
Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army 
Achievement Medal just to name a few.
  Master Chief Petty Officer Darlene M. Gemuend was honored, 
representing the United States Naval Reserve. She completed Basic 
Training in January 1978 and went on to attend Personnelman ``A'' 
school.
  Master Chief Gemuend has served the Navy at a variety of duty 
stations and capacities. She is currently serving as the Naval 
Operations Reserve Battle Force Integration Manpower Analyst at the 
Arlington Navy Annex. Master Chief Gemuend's personal awards include 
the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps 
Achievement Medal, Navy Recruiting Excellence Awards and various other 
service and campaign awards.
  Master Sergeant Leandria L. Hollinshead is the superintendent of the 
Command Post, 347th Rescue Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. She was 
awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for her sustained efforts of 
Hurricane Elena. From 1990 to 1992 she continued to sharpen her Command 
and Control skills as Combat Alert Center Controller, King Salmon AFS, 
Alaska. As the single point of contact between NORAD and the alert 
aircrews, she was solely responsible to decode emergency orders, 
scramble, and launch alert aircraft to intercept Soviet Union air 
vehicles attempting to penetrate U.S. borders. Following the incident 
of the USS Cole, she deployed to Saudi Arabia to establish theater 
command post operations for the Commander of the Joint Task Force--
Southwest Asia.

  Continuing to excel in her professional education, she captured the 
John L. Levitow award at her NCO Academy graduation in June 1999 and 
was soon after promoted to Master Sergeant. MSgt Hollinshead is the 
recipient of the AF Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal, 
AF Outstanding Unit Award, and the AF Good Conduct Medal.
  Master Gunnery Sergeant Carole A. Hawkins enlisted in the Marine 
Corps in February of 1973. Currently, she is the senior enlisted female 
in the Marine Corps, and the senior enlisted administrator. Master 
Gunnery Sergeant Hawkins is assigned as the Administrative Chief for 
the Personnel Management Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs 
Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Quantico, VA.
  Master Gunnery Sergeant Hawkins has been awarded the Meritorious 
Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy, 
Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Outstanding Volunteer Service 
Medal.
  Master Chief Linda Reid enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve in 1975. 
She drilled at Coast Guard Reserve Unit Seattle before moving to the 
Washington, DC, area in 1977. Master Chief Reid has been with the Coast 
Guard's Sea Partners Campaign since its beginning in 1994. As director, 
she oversees policy, budget and operations for this nationwide 
environmental public outreach program. Master Chief Reid coordinated 
Coast Guard participation in the 1985, 1989 and 1993 Presidential 
Inaugurals.
  Master Chief Reid was advanced to the grade of Master Chief Petty 
Officer in May 1993, the first woman in the Storekeeper rating to 
achieve that rank in the Coast Guard. She is a Silver Lifetime Member 
of the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) and a 
member of the Foreign Joint Service Non-Commissioned Officers 
Association, the Fleet Reserve Association and the Non-Commissioned 
Officers Association.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration and pride that the 
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues honor the five servicewomen and 
their accomplishments. We are living in a day and age when the thought 
of a woman serving in the military is not the exception, it's the norm. 
There are over 2 million women serving and they are making a huge 
contribution to America's military operations around the world . . . as 
so many us have seen from America's recent victory in Iraq.
  It is an honor for each member of the Caucus to highlight these 
exceptional women. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, 
and the Coast Guard are well represented by our 2003 Women in Military 
Service Honorees.

                          ____________________