[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. PHYLLIS ROULLIER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phyllis 
Roullier, a longtime resident of Belleville, Michigan and an original 
Rosie the Riveter. Phyllis was born on August 24, 1924 and has lived 
her full life as the cherished matriarch of her family, and an American 
hero.
  Phyllis was among the trailblazing women who stepped up during World 
War II to fill the industry positions traditionally held by men. 
Collectively nicknamed ``Rosie the Riveter'', these inspiring women 
entered the workforce with grace and gusto to build planes, tanks and 
other armaments that sustained the war effort and kept American 
industry afloat. Phyllis was 18 when she started working at the Willow 
Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti dimpling airplane skins. She recalls 
carpooling to work with other women from Detroit and having to pool gas 
stamps in order to make it to work every day. To this day, Phyllis 
proudly recalls the remarkable contributions of the Rosies at Willow 
Run, who produced more aircraft every month than Imperial Japan did in 
a year, earning Willow Run, and the area surrounding southeast 
Michigan, worldwide fame as the center of America's ``Arsenal of 
Democracy''.
  The contributions of Phyllis and the original Rosie the Riveters made 
victory in World War II possible, and their patriotism and hard work 
will forever remain part of the American story. They instilled a 
newfound hope in their communities, embodying positivity in a time of 
great turmoil and uncertainty, and inspired a social movement that 
forever redefined the role of women in the workplace. The number of 
working women in the United States increased to 20 million in 1944, and 
has never since fallen to pre-war levels. Phyllis and her fellow Rosies 
paved the way for generations to follow.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Phyllis 
Roullier for her contributions to the war and her role in inspiring 
generations of American women. Her story is one that embodies the best 
of American values and spirit and one that we will continue to share 
with our children and grandchildren for decades to come. The values 
that Phyllis and the Rosies embodied--patriotism, bravery and resolve--
are ones we all must strive to emulate. We salute the Rosies for their 
contribution to American history. Their legacy will forever remind us 
that we all have the power to do something more for our community and 
our country.

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