[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6084-S6085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 579--RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST 
           CLASS OF WOMEN ADMITTED TO THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 579

       Whereas, on August 11, 1975, the Department of 
     Transportation announced Coast Guard Commandant Admiral 
     Siler's decision to admit women to the Coast Guard Academy, 
     making it the first military service academy open to women;
       Whereas, on October 7, 1975, President Ford signed the 
     Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976 
     (Public Law 94-106; 89 Stat. 531) which authorized the 
     admission of women into the remaining three military service 
     academies, two months after the Coast Guard Academy's 
     decision to do so;
       Whereas, on February 3, 1976, the Coast Guard Academy was 
     the first military service academy to issue appointments to 
     women;
       Whereas, on June 28, 1976, 38 women joined the Class of 
     1980 as freshmen and reported to the Coast Guard Academy for 
     Swab Summer training;
       Whereas, in 1980, the first fourteen women were honored at 
     the Coast Guard Academy's 99th graduation;

[[Page S6085]]

       Whereas, since the Coast Guard Academy's Class of 1980, 
     more than 1,500 women have graduated from the Coast Guard 
     Academy;
       Whereas, in June 2016, the Coast Guard Academy's Class of 
     2020 hit a record of 38 percent female enrollment, an 
     enrollment rate higher than any other military service 
     academy;
       Whereas the Coast Guard has been at the forefront of 
     expanding opportunities for women and setting a precedent for 
     the advancement of women in the Armed Forces; and
       Whereas women serving in the Coast Guard have played vital 
     roles in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue 
     missions, and environmental protection initiatives and women 
     continue to carry out an array of civil and military 
     responsibilities that ensure the maritime security of the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the Coast Guard Academy on the 40th Anniversary 
     of the Academy enrolling female cadets and recognizes the 
     Coast Guard Academy as the first military service academy to 
     admit female cadets;
       (2) recognizes the contribution women have made through 
     their leadership, honor, and devotion to duty as members of 
     the Coast Guard; and
       (3) commends the Coast Guard Academy for breaking barriers 
     and creating equal opportunities for women in the Armed 
     Forces.

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