[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4178-H4180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES AND FEMALE VETERANS
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1054) honoring the service and
achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1054
Whereas women have historically been an important part of
all United States war efforts, voluntarily serving in every
military conflict in United States history since the
Revolutionary War;
Whereas 34,000 women served in World War I, 400,000 served
in World War II, 120,000 served in the Korean War, over 7,000
served in the Vietnam War, and more than 41,000 served in the
first Gulf War;
Whereas more than 185,000 women have been deployed in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and other missions since 2001;
Whereas over 350 service women have given their lives for
our Nation in combat zones since World War I, and more than
85 have been held as prisoners of war;
Whereas over 350,000 women serving in the Armed Forces make
up approximately 15 percent of active duty personnel, 15
percent of Reserves, and 17 percent of the National Guard;
Whereas women are now playing an increasingly important
role in America's military forces; and
Whereas the women of America's military, past and present,
have served their nation in times of peace and war, at great
personal sacrifice for both themselves and their families:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors and recognizes the service and achievements of
current and former female members of the Armed Forces;
(2) encourages all people in the United States to recognize
the service and achievements of women in the military and
female veterans on Memorial Day;
(3) encourages all people in the United States to learn
about the history of service and achievements of women in the
military; and
(4) supports groups that raise awareness about the service
and achievements of women in the military and female veterans
through exhibitions, museums, statues, and other programs and
activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Every time I visit military installations, at home and abroad, I'm
constantly impressed by the tremendous job our servicemembers are
doing, and I'm particularly impressed by our
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brave servicewomen, whom I seek out at every chance.
Over 350,000 American women are currently serving in our Armed
Forces, following in the footsteps of women who have voluntarily served
in every military conflict in United States history since the
Revolutionary War.
During the revolution, women served on the front lines as nurses,
water bearers and even saboteurs. For years, women had to disguise
themselves as men in order to enlist in our military. Although the Army
and Navy Nurse Corps were established in the early 1900s, it was not
until the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 that women
were granted permanent status in the regular and Reserve Armed Forces.
As Memorial Day approaches, we should recognize that our servicewomen
play an increasingly important role in America's military forces. Women
serving in the Armed Forces make up approximately 15 percent of active
duty personnel, 15 percent of Reserves and 17 percent of the National
Guard.
Women are flying helicopters and fighter aircraft. They are saving
lives as nurses and doctors, and they are driving support vehicles and
policing perimeters.
Servicewomen are also receiving recognition of their service,
including awards for valor. Most recently, Private First Class Monica
Lin Brown became only the second woman since World War II to receive
the Silver Star, our Nation's third highest medal for valor, for her
service in Afghanistan. The first woman since World War II to receive
this honor was Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester, who received the Silver Star
in 2005 for her service in Iraq.
When I visit installations, I am so grateful for the response and
insight I receive from women in the Armed Forces. They are adamant they
do not want to be treated differently; yet they would like us to
understand and recognize the additional burdens that are inherent in
the many roles they play as wives, as mothers and caretakers.
Later this week, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues will
host its annual ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery to honor
our Nation's servicewomen and women veterans and to remember women who
have died while on duty serving the United States.
As Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military
Personnel and co-Chair of the Women's Caucus Task Force on Women in the
Military and Veterans, I'm privileged to honor the legacy of
servicewomen in the past, the courage with which women serve today, and
the enthusiasm inherent in the young women who dream of serving this
great Nation in the future.
Part of honoring them is asking the tough questions about the
expanding roles our servicewomen are taking on and excelling in. We
hear from women in the military in person and through the media about
their contributions in combat zones and their willingness to risk their
lives in defense of their fellow servicemembers, our country and our
families. These are issues we should recognize and address. They
deserve nothing less.
We should never fail to remember the sacrifices our servicewomen and
their families make to keep our families safe.
This resolution honors the service and achievements of women in the
military and women veterans and encourages all people in the United
States to do the same and to learn more about these wonderful
accomplishments.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to have offered this
resolution. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
might consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1054, which honors
the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female
veterans.
Mr. Speaker, throughout this great Nation's history, women have
answered the call without hesitation to defend our democracy and
freedom. Since the early days when we fought to gain our independence,
women have served with distinction in every one of our Nation's
conflicts. Before women were formally allowed to serve in our military,
they served on battlefields as nurses, water bearers, cooks and
saboteurs.
Frustrated by the gender restrictions of the day but fueled by ardent
patriotism, many women found more unorthodox ways to serve. Often
disguising themselves as young men, they joined the military and fought
steadfastly alongside their brothers in arms.
Mr. Speaker, since 1901 when the Army Nurse Corps was established,
formally granting women rank and military status, hundreds of thousands
of women have served with honor in the Armed Forces. They have never
shrunk from the tough jobs or hesitated to go in harm's way: 34,000
women served in World War I; 400,000 in World War II; 120,000 in Korea;
7,000 in Vietnam; and over 41,000 served in the first Gulf War.
Today, Mr. Speaker, over 350,000 women are serving in our Armed
Forces. Over 190,000 have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to help
rid the world of tyranny and terrorism. They serve on land, at sea and
in the air, doing dangerous jobs such as pilots, military police and
convoy truck drivers.
Mr. Speaker, these women, just like the men in our Armed Forces, are
volunteers. They have always been volunteers. They have chosen to
serve, chosen to make the sacrifices that are inherent in military
service. They endure long hours, long separations from their loved ones
and the hardships and horrors of combat. And as so many who have served
before them, these women have been wounded, imprisoned and have paid
the ultimate price for their devotion and duty to this great country.
It is without question that our military forces are unsurpassed. It
is also undeniable that women have played a significant role in
developing the extraordinarily capable military we are so proud of
today. Military women have been pioneers in computer science, space and
undersea exploration and medicine. Through their accomplishments
America has made great strides in technology, mathematics and
engineering.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlelady from California for
introducing this resolution to honor America's extraordinary military
women and veterans. I join her and all of my colleagues to celebrate
the courageous women of our Armed Forces who serve today and who have
served in the past. Their indomitable spirit and powerful sense of
patriotism guarantee our freedom now and for generations to come.
I, therefore, strongly urge all Members to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentlelady from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter), a
thoughtful member of the Committee on Armed Services and the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I would like to thank the sponsor of this important
resolution, the gentlewoman from California, Susan Davis. Congresswoman
Davis is the Chair of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, and it is my
great honor to serve with her.
As we prepare to honor our military and our fallen on Memorial Day,
it is appropriate to honor the women who have served, also. Almost
800,000 have served since World War I, and together, women make up
almost 15 percent of our active military and 17 percent of our National
Guard Reserve forces.
Sadly, many of the women who earned medals and served this country
never collect those medals. They served quietly and they left quietly,
too humble to tell their tale and too humble to ask for their medals.
In New Hampshire, I recently had the great pleasure to present medals
to Hazel Jones, 50 years after she had earned them in World War II. The
Dover resident enlisted in the Army in 1944, completed her basic
training, and went on to serve her country for the next 17 months,
transporting troops and the mail and protecting our national security.
I was really proud to present Hazel with her medals, and I am proud
today to honor the hundreds of thousands of other women who have nobly
served our beloved country.
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While women may not make up the majority of our Armed Forces, they
stand and work side by side with the men, and they are critical to our
mission. As we celebrate Memorial Day, it is fitting that we take this
moment to celebrate their service.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, as a cosponsor of H. Res.
1054, to recognize the service and achievements of the women in the
Armed Forces and the nation's women veterans. I thank my San Diego
colleague, Congresswoman Susan Davis, for introducing this important
resolution.
These women have been the unsung heroes of every war since the
Revolutionary War. So, as we approach Memorial Day, it is fitting that
we sing their praises. They are playing an increasingly prominent and
important role in our nation's military forces. 350,000 are now
serving, making up 15 percent of active duty personnel, 15 percent of
Reserves, and 17 percent of the National Guard. More than 185,000 have
been deployed since 2001.
Women veterans are second only to elderly veterans as the fastest
growing segment of the veteran population. 255,000 women use VA health
services today. There are 1.7 million women veterans, 7 percent of the
total veteran population--expected to be 10 percent by 2020.
As Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I want to
report that Congress has responded to the challenge of meeting the
needs of women veterans. Today, there exist within the Department of
Veterans Affairs, two main offices specifically focused on addressing
the needs of women veterans, put into place by Congress.
The 102nd Congress passed landmark legislation (P.L. 102-484) which
authorized VA to provide gender-specific health care at VA medical
facilities. The position of Director of Women's Health was also created
by this law. This position has recently been elevated to the Chief
Consultant on Women Veterans' Health, Strategic Health Care Group,
reporting to the Undersecretary for Health (of the Veterans Health
Administration). At each medical center, a Women Veterans Program
Manager is ready to assist women veterans with their health care.
More recently, Congress passed P.L. 108-422 to extend VA's authority
to offer Military Sexual Trauma Counseling and Treatment to active duty
service members.
In addition, The Center for Women Veterans was established by the
103rd Congress in P.L. 103-446 to oversee the Department's programs for
women veterans. The Center Director reports to and is an advisor to the
VA Secretary on matters related to policies, legislation, programs,
issues and initiatives affecting women veterans. To name a few of its
activities:
Perform outreach to minority women veterans, homeless women veterans
with children, elderly women veterans, and women veterans living in
rural areas.
Monitor transition assistance program (TAP) briefings to ensure that
the gender-specific information about benefits and services is provided
to women service members.
Monitor VA Office of Research and Development to ensure that VA
research includes the issues of women veterans.
Their goal is to identify any programs that are unresponsive or
insensitive to women veterans and to address their deficiencies. The
center is concerned with Department-wide legislative policies, within
the VHA and VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) and NCA (National
Cemetery Administration), as well as the State offices.
The center is holding the 4th National Summit on Women Veterans'
Issues on June 20-22 in Washington, DC.
H.R. 4107, the Women's Veterans Health Care Improvements Act, has
been introduced by my colleague serving on the VA Committee, Stephanie
Herseth Sandlin. This is one of a number of ways that we are currently
working on behalf of women veterans.
The House VA Committee continues to provide oversight to ensure that
the laws we have passed are doing the job and that women veterans are
receiving the information, benefits and care they deserve.
In the light of these actions by Congress, it is my hope that all
women veterans will receive the care and benefits they have earned
through their service and accomplishments that we recognize here today.
Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it's a joy to celebrate the
women of our armed services. At this time, I have no further requests
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1054, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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