[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             105TH BIRTHDAY OF CAPT DOROTHY STRATTON, USCGR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE BUYER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2004

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to send best wishes to CAPT Dorothy 
Stratton today on her 105th birthday. CAPT Stratton is a visionary 
leader and patriot whose service to the United States cannot be 
measured.
  CAPT Dorothy Stratton, USCG Reserve, Retired, was born on March 24th, 
1899 in Brookfield, MO. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Ottawa 
University in 1924 and continued her education at the University of 
Chicago and at Columbia University, where, in 1932, she earned her PhD. 
In 1933 she was appointed Dean of Women and associate professor of 
psychology at Purdue University. Dr. Stratton remained at Purdue until 
June 1942, when she decided to join the global war effort and took a 
leave of absence to join the Naval Women's Reserve.
  On November 23, 1942, when President Roosevelt established the Coast 
Guard's Women's Reserve, LT Stratton transferred from the Navy and was 
sworn in as its first director. She became the first woman accepted for 
service as a commissioned officer in the history of the Coast Guard.
  Almost immediately after being sworn in, LT Stratton set about the 
task of finding an appropriate name for the Coast Guard Women's 
Reserve, and so the SPARs got their name. Not only an acronym of the 
Coast Guard's motto--Semper Paratus, Always Ready, the word spar is 
often used to describe support structures and, in LT Stratton's words 
to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, ``that is what each member of the 
Women's Reserve will be.''
  LT Stratton quickly ascended the Coast Guard ranks and within 2 years 
was promoted to the rank of CAPT. During her 4 years as director of the 
SPARs, CAPT Stratton recruited and led 10,000 enlisted women and 1,000 
commissioned officers. She led the service throughout World War II, 
until the SPAR demobilization was complete on June 30th, 1946.
  Following her service in the Coast Guard, CAPT Stratton continued to 
serve her country as Director of Personnel for the International 
Monetary Fund, and then as National Executive Director of the Girl 
Scouts of America.
  On this, her 105th birthday, I honor CAPT Dorothy Stratton for her 
service to the United States, the Coast Guard and its Reserve, and for 
the inspiration and legacy she created, not only for the women of this 
great nation, but all our citizens.

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