[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING WWII WOMEN AVIATORS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Lorraine 
Zilner Rodgers and her remarkable service to our country during World 
War II. Ms. Rodgers dreamed of becoming a pilot at a time when the 
field of aviation was dominated by men. Undeterred, she overcame gender 
barriers to pursue her goal. After graduating from the University of 
Illinois, she worked building military aircraft, using her salary and 
limited spare time to learn to fly. She eventually attained a private 
pilots' license.
  While pursuing her dream to fly, she learned of the Women Airforce 
Service Pilots (WASP) program and became inspired to join the war 
effort. More than 25,000 women applied and after completing a rigorous 
training program, Ms. Rodgers was among the 1,074 women who earned 
their wings. In the 17 months that the WASP's were operational, she and 
her fellow pilots flew more than 60 million miles.
  Among her many duties Ms. Rodgers tested and ferried planes making 
necessary repairs to military aircraft. She displayed tremendous 
courage and bravery as her duties were strenuous, exhausting and at 
times even life threatening. Thirty-eight women lost their lives while 
serving and Ms. Rodgers was nearly one of them. While she was 
completing a routine testing flight in Waco, Texas, the plane she was 
flying abruptly went into an inverted spin. She made every attempt to 
right the aircraft to prevent destroying the plane, but as she neared 
the ground she was forced to abandon the aircraft. She was barely able 
to deploy her parachute before hitting the ground as she had delayed 
ejecting in an effort to save the plane. After recovering from her 
injuries, she was informed that her plane's rudder had been cut in an 
act of sabotage. Although such acts were rare, they were examples of 
the hardships women pilots had to overcome as they faced antagonism 
from male pilots who adamantly believed that women did not belong in 
the aviation field.
  On Dec. 20, 1944, the same day Ms. Rodgers risked her life, Congress 
voted to disband the WASP program determining that it was no longer 
necessary as male pilots were becoming available to fill the jobs the 
women were performing. Despite the end of the program, Ms. Rodgers did 
not abandon her passion. She went on to work at the Glenview Naval Air 
Station and flew as much as possible.
  In the 1970s she became deeply involved in a campaign to gain veteran 
status for WASPs. Despite resistance based on gender prejudices, they 
finally succeeded in 1977.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Lorraine 
Zilner Rodgers and other pilots from the WASP program who remain an 
inspiration for young women and men alike. She is not only a hero but a 
symbol of what can be achieved when goals are pursued and barriers 
overcome. She continues the legacy set down by generations of ambitious 
women by honoring her talent and maintaining a steadfast commitment to 
her dreams.

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