[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8809-H8811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ROSIE THE RIVETER CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2019
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 1773) to award a Congressional Gold Medal,
collectively, to the women in the United States who joined the
workforce during World War II, providing the aircraft, vehicles,
weaponry, ammunition and other material to win the war, that were
referred to as ``Rosie the Riveter'', in recognition of their
contributions to the United States and the inspiration they have
provided to ensuing generations, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1773
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rosie the Riveter
Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Over 70 years ago there was a call to action, a demand
for workers to fill the vacancies left by the men who went to
fight in the war.
(2) More than 6 million women answered the call then,
entering the workforce during World War II and providing the
equipment, weaponry and ammunition to achieve final victory
and end the war.
(3) These women left their homes to work or volunteer full-
time in factories, farms, shipyards, airplane factories,
banks, and other institutions in support of the military
overseas.
(4) They worked with the United Service Organizations and
the American Red Cross, drove trucks, riveted airplane parts,
collected critical materials, rolled bandages, and served on
rationing boards.
(5) Our ``Rosie the Riveter'', the women who worked and
sacrificed to strengthen this country during World War II,
are among the greatest living heroines in the United States.
(6) These women persevered, despite often facing harassment
from their male colleagues and disapproval from their male
family members, and all the while continued to maintain their
``other jobs'' as caretakers of children and their
households.
(7) Minority women also overcame long-held policies of
discrimination and made significant contributions to the war
effort.
(8) Because of the ``Rosies'', Federal, State, and local
agencies coordinated with business owners to develop
childcare programs and other supports for working mothers.
(9) The example that these women set during World War II
continues to inspire us and blaze a path for the working
women and young girls of today.
(10) Specifically, the images of ``Rosie the Riveter'' and
the phrase ``We Can Do It'' continue to symbolize the
empowerment of women today, representing patriotic women who
want to serve and strengthen their country, and to inspire
young girls to become ``21st Century Rosies'' by aspiring to,
and attaining positions of leadership in all walks of life in
America.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Rosie the Riveter.--The term ``Rosie the Riveter''
includes any female individual who held employment or
volunteered in support of the war efforts during World War
II.
(b) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Treasury.
SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf
of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design in
commemoration to Rosie the Riveter, collectively, in
recognition of their contributions to the Nation and the
inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike
the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
(c) National Museum of American History.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal
under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the
National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian
Institution, where it shall be available for display as
appropriate and made available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the National Museum of American History shall make the gold
medal received under paragraph (1) available for display
elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations
associated with Rosie the Riveter.
SEC. 5. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of
the gold medal struck pursuant to section 4 under such
regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price
sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor,
materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and
the cost of the gold medal.
SEC. 6. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this
Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title
31, United States Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this
Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 7. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Garcia) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
General Leave
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and to insert extraneous material thereon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
During World War II, American women entered the workforce in
unprecedented numbers. More than 6 million women answered the call to
duty, filling jobs in factories, farms, shipyards, airplane factories,
banks, and other institutions left vacant by the men who went to fight
overseas.
These women, despite facing harassment and disapproval from their
male colleagues and family members--and, in the case of minority women,
long-held policies of discrimination--nonetheless persevered to provide
critical equipment, weaponry, and ammunition
[[Page H8810]]
to the war effort, all while continuing to serve as primary caretakers
for children and as heads of household.
The hard work and sacrifices of these women during the war also paved
the way for the development of childcare programs and other Federal-,
State-, and local-level policies to support working mothers and
families.
Today, the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter, first popularized as
part of a wartime recruitment campaign for female workers, continues to
be a symbol of female empowerment and inspiration for women who wish to
serve and strengthen their country.
H.R. 1773 recognizes the brave, patriotic women who stepped up to
serve their country in its time of need and whose leadership and spirit
of empowerment continues to inspire ensuing generations.
I thank Ms. Speier for joining me in introducing this bill this
Congress, and I urge Members to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as the son of a World War II veteran, the brother of a
Vietnam veteran, and as a veteran myself who served during the time of
Desert Storm and other conflicts, I understand that victory in battle
is not solely due to the soldier on the battlefield, the airman that is
flying over the battlefield, or the marine or the sailor. It is as much
the responsibility of all Americans and those who actually supply the
weapons and the machinery of war that is so desperately needed by those
who are on the battlefield.
We saw this play out in a great way during World War II. As our young
men and women were across the pond and throughout the Pacific fighting
against tyranny, many here at home stepped up and fulfilled the
positions that many of them vacated to go fight on the battlefields.
We are honoring such of those women today, being Rosie the Riveters,
where 6 million answered their country's call to make sure that the
airmen had the aircraft to fly; that the infantrymen had the bullets
and the guns that were needed to defend this country; that the sailors
had the equipment, the ships, and the weapons to fight on the seas; and
that the Marines that were invading the islands that were held by the
Japanese had the materials that they needed.
We could not have seen that victory in World War II if it weren't for
these brave patriots who not only took on the roles and the
responsibilities that others left to make sure that we had the weapons
and the materials and the logistics that were needed, but while also
raising families at the same time.
Back in June, I was honored to be one of the official delegates to
travel to Normandy, representing the United States and the House of
Representatives for the 75th anniversary of D-day. I was especially
honored because my dad was one of those who stepped on the shores of
Normandy during that battle.
And, as I was sitting in the audience waiting on the President to
give his remarks, there were three lovely ladies sitting in the row in
front of me. We began to engage in conversation, and I found out that
they were Rosie Riveters. And, of course, I had to have a selfie with
Rosie the Riveter.
They became the stars. Regardless of the number of Members of
Congress who were sitting in the audience, those three ladies became
the focus of many who were there, and rightfully so. And because of
their deeds and their patriotism, I fully support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to do so as well, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, the Rosie the Riveter Congressional
Gold Medal Act honors the 20th century icon that unified women and
inspired them to join the workforce and help with the war effort.
Throughout our Nation's history, countless Americans have answered
the call to service during times of conflict and turmoil. During World
War II, women across the country left their homes for factory jobs in
support of the war effort, working as riveters, buckers, welders, and
electricians.
These Rosie the Riveters embodied the ``We Can Do It'' spirit forever
connected with the famous poster.
I am proud to recognize these home-front heroes, especially my
constituent Mae Krier. Mae is 93. She is in the Chamber with us today.
She lives in my hometown of Levittown, Pennsylvania.
During the war, determined women like Mae manufactured planes, ships,
tanks, weapons, jeeps, and everything else that was needed to defeat
the enemy. Mae has said, ``We worked, we danced, and we slept on
Sundays. Most of all, we were duty-bound.''
Mae has been dedicated to get the real-life Rosies recognized for
over 30 years. While this bill serves to get a single medal to the
important symbol that is Rosie the Riveter, it truly is bestowing the
honor and recognition on the millions of women like Mae Krier.
I am proud to recognize these heroes as an original cosponsor of H.R.
1773, alongside Representatives Speier, Huffman, and now 289 of our
colleagues. And I commend my fellow Pennsylvanian, Senator Casey, for
introducing this bipartisan bill in the Senate.
This legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign
Wars, the Marine Corps League, the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund, among countless other organizations that represent our
men and women in uniform and our veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to vote
``yes'' on this important legislation so that we can see these strong
American women honored by a Congressional Gold Medal.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).
Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their
leadership on this and my friend from Texas for yielding.
I rise today as a proud sponsor of the Rosie the Riveter
Congressional Gold Medal Act and thank my colleagues again for their
bipartisan leadership on this bill.
During World War II, thousands of women joined the war effort at the
Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California, now home to the Rosie the
Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park, as part of
the National Park System, where they produced over 700 ships, the most
productive shipyards in history.
These brave and dedicated women broke barriers by taking jobs as
riveters, welders, and electricians, forever changing the role of women
in the workforce. They embodied the ``We Can Do It'' motto.
Among them is Betty Reid Soskin--a constituent, a friend, and a
pillar of my local community--who is now the National Park Service's
oldest serving ranger and works at the Rosie the Riveter World War II
Home Front National Historical Park at the age of 98.
She has been instrumental in educating thousands of visitors about
the Rosies and sharing her experience as a young Black woman working on
the home front.
I am so proud to have this important piece of history in my district,
and I urge my colleagues to support this tribute to the Rosies'
invaluable service to this country.
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, as I have no more speakers on this bill,
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to emphatically support
this legislation to give recognition to those who stepped up and served
our Nation in such an important way during one of the darkest times in
our Nation's history to ensure that we not only brought home the
victory, but we liberated millions of those in oppression and tyranny
across the globe.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am pleased to bring forward a bill celebrating women from all walks
of life who, in difficult, dark days chose to rise to the occasion and
serve their country. They did not let themselves be confined to archaic
notions of what women can or cannot do, nor did they let others dictate
what a woman's place is in society.
[[Page H8811]]
Let me remind my colleagues that these Rosies were also Rositas, who
came from all parts of our country, including our Hispanic community.
I would like to read from an interview with Aurora Orozco, one of the
Rositas from Cuero, Texas, who laid out how so many Latinas
contributed.
``In the valley there were these packing sheds where they packed
tomatoes and lettuce . . . there were not enough men to work, so they
started hiring women. So that is when it started to change a little
more in women's lives. They were calling from the government for women
to go and work in the factories . . . then they started calling women
into the Army.
``And first it was like, oh, my goodness, `dios mio,' how can these
women go over there by themselves? Everybody was shocked because we
were not used to seeing women leave the house. You didn't leave the
house until you were married. With senoritas, everything was so strict
and then came this change . . . and I think that was wonderful because
it opened a new world for women. It showed that women can be
independent. This was a real break for women.''
So let us honor the example these women set and continue to blaze a
path for the working women of today and future leaders of tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
important piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Speier), the sponsor of this legislation.
{time} 1400
Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for giving me this
opportunity to speak on this very important bill.
Rosie the Riveters who are left in this country deserve a
Congressional Gold Medal. In one of the most challenging periods of our
American history, women stepped up to serve this country. Six million
women entered the workforce for the first time during World War II,
offering to build weapons, vehicles, and ammunition that helped us win
the war.
The critical contributions of Rosie the Riveters changed the course
of world history and blazed a trail for today's working women. The
Rosies proved that they could work and succeed in jobs and industries
that had long been male-dominated. African American women challenged
stereotypes and policies of discrimination to contribute to the war
effort. Because of the Rosies, the U.S. Government worked with
businesses to develop support for working moms, like childcare
programs.
The famous image of Rosie the Riveter, sleeves rolled up, muscles
flexed, and a bandanna in place, has inspired generations of women and
girls to embody the strength, patriotism, and ``We Can Do It'' spirit
that radiates from the poster.
But even the iconic image can't do justice to the real-life Rosies
who took on the mantle of the war effort at home, defied expectations,
eradicated barriers to women's participation in the workforce, and made
victory possible. It has been one of the great honors of my career to
work closely with several of these women during my time in Congress.
Phyllis Gould went to welding school from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. every day
for weeks to get a job working at a shipyard in California. She was one
of the first women accepted into the boilermakers union. At 97 years
old, Phyllis still works tirelessly to make sure we never forget the
sacrifices and the hard work that American women provided during World
War II.
Phyllis' sister, Marian Sousa, went to work at 17 years of age as a
draftsman in the shipyards in Richmond, California. Marian's volunteer
work at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National
Historical Park preserves the Rosie legacy for future generations.
Mae Krier went to work at Boeing Aircraft right out of high school,
helping to build B-17s and B-29 bombers. Today, she is one of the
foremost Rosie advocates in the country, fighting for recognition of
the tremendous wartime contributions of American women.
Betty Reid Soskin, park ranger at the Rosie the Riveter World War II
Home Front National Historical Park, worked as a file clerk in the
boilermakers' union hall. Today, she is the oldest national park ranger
in the country, dedicated to bringing the Rosies' trailblazing legacy
to life for visitors.
These Rosies are true American sheroes. It is long past time that
they and all the women who served on the home front during World War II
receive recognition from the country for which they sacrificed so much.
I urge my colleagues to stand with us in honoring our Rosie the
Riveters with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1773, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________