[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ROSIE THE RIVETER

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, the famous poster of ``Rosie the 
Riveter,'' created by J. Howard Miller in 1943, was quite well known 
throughout America during World War II. The slogan on the poster--``WE 
CAN DO IT!''--captured the spirit and dedication of our Nation's women 
during World War II. ``Rosie the Riveter'' became a nickname for the 
women who entered the workforce during the war.
  World War II profoundly changed the role and status of American 
women. During this war, over 6 million women joined the workforce, 
filling jobs that had been traditionally held by men. For the first 
time in history, women in large numbers worked to produce ships, 
planes, tanks, trucks, guns and ammunition that were essential to the 
war effort. They worked in factories while raising their kids--often by 
themselves as their husbands were fighting abroad.
  In California, women worked in factories across the state, from the 
Douglas Aircraft Company plant in Long Beach to the Ford Assembly plant 
in Richmond, CA.
  These women's contributions on the homefront were invaluable to our 
nation's victory in World War II. As we approach Memorial Day--and the 
dedication of the World War II Memorial--I want to express my gratitude 
to our Nation's ``Rosies'' for their effort in helping America win the 
war.
  In 2000, Congress enacted legislation, introduced by Representative 
George Miller, to create the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front 
National Historical Park in Richmond, CA. Senator Feinstein and I 
introduced the Senate companion bill.
  Richmond, CA was chosen as the site since the city played a 
significant role in the World War II effort on the homefront. Fifty-six 
war industries operated in Richmond, and the Kaiser Shipyards produced 
more ships than any other shipyard in the United States. The Ford 
Assembly Plant prepared for shipment overseas more than 20 percent of 
all tanks and other combat vehicles used by the United States during 
World War II.
  The Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical 
Park is the first park created to commemorate the contributions of men 
and women on the U.S. home front during World War II and to preserve 
the historic sites, structures and stories associated with World War 
II.
  I am so pleased that the park, in partnership with Ford Motor Company 
and the National Park Foundation, has initiated a campaign to find 
``Rosies'' across the country to collect their personal stories and 
memorabilia to share with future generations. I commend Ford Motor 
Company and the National Park Foundation for their efforts to preserve 
such an important piece of our history.
  In this historic year--the 60th anniversary of D-Day--while we are 
honoring the Nation's veterans, let us not forget to honor the women 
whose contributions were critical to our success in World War II.

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