[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF THE WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the female pilots who served during World War II, known as 
the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or the WASPs.
  These brave and hardworking female pilots signed up, of their own 
volition, were trained in over 12,000 aircraft, and stepped up to the 
plate to fill the shortfall of male pilots.
  Despite the fact that the WASPs were merely considered civilians, 
they served their country, delivering planes overseas in dangerous 
conditions and helping to train the male pilots for combat.
  Thirty-eight of these WASPs died while serving their country, and 
their patriotic sense of duty is truly inspirational.
  Unfortunately, these courageous women have been unjustly denied the 
honor of burial at the Arlington National Cemetery. Why? Because they 
were civilians.
  As a cosponsor of H.R. 4336, I strongly urge the Secretary of the 
Army to change its policy and allow these female pilots to be honored 
at Arlington National Cemetery. It is the moral imperative of our 
country to honor them.

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