[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 155 (Friday, October 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN OF THE ARMED 
                      SERVICES AND FEMALE VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 23, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution honoring the service and achievements of women in the Armed 
Forces and female veterans.
  Every time I visit military installations, both at home and abroad, I 
am constantly impressed by the tremendous job our service members are 
doing.
  And I am always particularly struck by the essential and natural role 
our brave servicewomen play in so many parts of our Armed Services.
  There are close to 350,000 American women currently serving in our 
Armed Forces.
  And it's hard to believe they were only granted permanent status in 
the regular and Reserve Armed Forces in 1948--because women were 
certainly making their mark well before then.
  Women have voluntarily served in every military conflict in our 
country's history since the Revolutionary War.
  They have been on the frontlines as nurses, waterbearers, and even 
saboteurs.
  For years, dedicated women had to disguise themselves as men in order 
to enlist in our military.
  Today, that's not the case--our servicewomen play an increasingly 
important role in America's military forces, and our country is the 
better for it.
  Women are flying helicopters and fighter aircrafis; they are saving 
lives as nurses and doctors; they are driving support vehicles and 
policing perimeters.
  They do not seek special recognition, but I believe it is important 
to understand and recognize the additional burdens that are inherent in 
the many roles they play outside of work--as wives, mothers, and 
caretakers.
  The resolution recognizes the sacrifices our servicewomen and their 
families make to keep our country safe.
  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 am privileged to honor the legacy of 
servicewomen in the past, the courage with which women serve today, and 
the enthusiasm of the young women who dream of serving this great 
nation in the future.
  Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to introduce this 
resolution today.

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