[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 123 (Friday, August 7, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9077-S9078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the members of 
the Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, hailing from the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania who have recently received our Nation's highest 
civilian award--the Congressional Gold Medal. Joan Frost, Julia Jordan, 
Ruth Kunkle, Eleanor Lawry, Kristin Lent, Barbara Posey, Florence 
Reynolds, and Lillian Yonally exemplify hard work, courage, and 
commitment to their country.
  The WASP were the first female pilots in America's Armed Forces. They 
were stationed at 120 Army air bases across America, from where they 
flew approximately 60 million miles in less than 2 years and in a 
variety of aircraft. Over 25,000 women applied to the program, a select 
1,800 went through basic training, and 1,074 women graduated.
  The contributions of these brave women to the success of the United 
States in WW II cannot be minimized, and I am truly proud that several 
of these extraordinary women called Pennsylvania home. To each of these 
women, I would like to say thank you for your contribution to aviation. 
By going against convention, you broke important barriers and are the 
reason why female pilots fly in every type of aircraft and mission, 
including combat sorties, today.
  I am sure that each time a young person sees a black-and-white photo 
of a young smiling female pilot leaning out the window of her B-26 
Marauder,

[[Page S9078]]

she or he is inspired with a sense of adventure and a desire to 
discover the joy of flying that the WASP sought and achieved. 
Therefore, I again congratulate Pennsylvania's eight WASP and WASP 
nationwide. I wish you all the best as you continue to share your 
patriotism and courage with your family, friends, and 
communities.

                          ____________________