[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 173 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING BETTY RUTH HELMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. VICKY HARTZLER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2018

  Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Betty Ruth 
Helms of Nevada, Missouri. Betty is 96 years old, a part of what many 
have called ``the greatest generation,'' those Americans who bravely 
served their nation and the cause of liberty during World War II. In 
response to the overwhelming need for sailors to serve in the war, 
Congress authorized the Navy's WAVES program in 1942, which permitted 
women to serve in the Naval Reserve as commissioned officers and 
enlisted sailors. Betty answered the call, and volunteered to be a part 
of the very first class of women to complete training at the University 
of Wisconsin. After qualifying as a radioman, she served steadfastly in 
Jacksonville, Florida for over three years. After her service, she used 
the G.I. Bill and earned a bachelor's degree in business 
administration, graduating from my own alma mater, the University of 
Missouri, in February of 1950. She used that education to start Helms 
Permit Agency in Nevada, which remains open for business to this day. 
Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to this remarkable woman and the 
tens of thousands of women like her who responded to our nation's need 
in such a dire hour, and continued to lead in our communities after the 
war's end. I am personally thankful for her service and the honor of 
representing her here in the House.

                          ____________________