[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WOMEN ONCE AGAIN MADE HISTORY IN 2015

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                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2016

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that 
sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice 
to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the 
importance of being an active participant in the political process. 
Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics 
and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Alesondra Cruz attends George Ranch High School in Richmond, Texas. 
The essay topic is: Women Once Again Made History in 2015.

       Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver became the 
     first women to graduate from the Army Ranger School in August 
     2015, the first year it was open to women. The course is a 
     notoriously difficult feat in army training and has proven 
     impossible to copious soldiers in the past. It results in 
     strong leaders, pushing soldiers to not only their physical, 
     but mental threshold. The sixty-one day long course includes 
     brutal obstacles and a 12 mile march to be completed in three 
     hours. Ninety-four men and 2 women beat the grueling course.
       It has long been established that women can play an 
     efficacious role in the military. The extent of that role, 
     however, is still debated. In November 2012, the American 
     Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 
     four service women and the Service Women's Action Network. 
     They stated that plaintiff, Maj. Mary Jennings Hegar, an Air 
     National Guard helicopter pilot, served her country with the 
     utmost strength and honor, yet was unable to obtain a 
     leadership position. In 2013, then-Defense Secretary Leon 
     Panetta announced that the army would lift its ban on women 
     serving in combat roles. This announcement was strongly 
     pushed by the armed service chiefs themselves and led to 
     evaluation by the armed forces. When the two women completed 
     the course, the 75th Ranger Regiment had not opened its doors 
     to women or changed its policy. Consequently, Griest and 
     Haver could not enter the 75th Ranger Regiment with their 
     fellow graduates. However, their completion of the course and 
     inability to serve with their peers sparked discussion over 
     whether women should serve at this level or solely have the 
     pride of wearing their well-earned Ranger Tabs. This 
     discussion may have been a factor in Defense Secretary Ash 
     Carter's recent announcement that all combat jobs are now 
     open to women.
       Whether a person believes that women should be fully 
     integrated or not, this accomplishment has opened 
     conversation in an unprecedented way. Many people defend 
     their stance on integrating women due to women's perceived 
     physical limitation; however, Griest and Haver have proven 
     just as capable as their male counterparts. As an eighteen 
     year old, my thoughts immediately go to the Selective Service 
     Act and what role integration of women may have on it. If 
     women are fully active in the military, will we be asked to 
     register? Regardless of the final decision for the Ranger 
     Regiment or Selective Service Act, there is no doubt that 
     this event has left an imprint on how Americans see the role 
     of women in our military.
       When asked about her accomplishment, Griest said, ``We felt 
     like we were contributing as much as the men, and we felt 
     that they felt that way, too.'' There is no doubt that these 
     women have a desire to serve our country with pride and 
     strength. Their dedication to America has inspired women and 
     men alike, and positions women to serve their country for 
     many years to come.

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