[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 171 (Thursday, October 1, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5178-H5180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WOMEN WHO WORKED ON THE HOME FRONT WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ACT

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5068) to authorize the Women Who Worked on the Home Front 
Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of 
Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5068

       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 ``Women Who Worked on the Home 
     Front World War II Memorial Act''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH COMMEMORATIVE WORK.

       (a) In General.--The Women Who Worked on the Home Front 
     Foundation may establish a commemorative work on Federal land 
     in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate 
     the commitment and service represented by women who worked on 
     the home front during World War II.
       (b) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--The 
     establishment of the commemorative work under this section 
     shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United 
     States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works 
     Act'').
       (c) Prohibition on the Use of Federal Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Federal funds may not be used to pay any 
     expense of the establishment of the commemorative work under 
     this section.
       (2) Responsibility of women who worked on the home front 
     foundation.--The Women Who Worked on the Home Front 
     Foundation shall be solely responsible for acceptance of 
     contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the 
     establishment of the commemorative work under this section.
       (d) Deposit of Excess Funds.--
       (1) In general.--If upon payment of all expenses for the 
     establishment of the memorial (including the maintenance and 
     preservation amount required by section 8906(b)(1) of title 
     40, United States Code), there remains a balance of funds 
     received for the establishment of the commemorative work, the 
     Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation shall transmit 
     the amount of the balance to the Secretary of the Interior 
     for deposit in the account provided for in section 8906(b)(3) 
     of title 40, United States Code.
       (2) On expiration of authority.--If upon expiration of the 
     authority for the commemorative work under section 8903(e) of 
     title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance of 
     funds received for the establishment of the commemorative 
     work, the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation shall 
     transmit the amount of the

[[Page H5179]]

     balance to a separate account with the National Park 
     Foundation for memorials, to be available to the Secretary of 
     the Interior or Administrator (as appropriate) following the 
     process provided in section 8906(b)(4) of title 40, United 
     States Code, for accounts established under section 
     8906(b)(2) or (3) of title 40, United States Code.

     SEC. 3. 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 
Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5068, the Women Who 
Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act, introduced by 
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. H.R. 5068 would authorize the 
establishment of a memorial to commemorate the nearly 19 million women 
who worked on the home front during World War II.
  With mass male enlistment leaving significant vacancies in the 
industrial and defense industries, women across the country filled 
thousands of jobs that were historically held by men to support the war 
effort and to keep America running.
  I am proud of the fact that my district is home to Rosie the 
Riveters, which were a good example of women being able to do it.
  As the men fought abroad, these women worked in defense plants, flew 
military aircraft, delivered mail, and performed countless other duties 
necessary to keep the home front running.
  In addition to the women working on the home front, nearly 350,000 
women served in uniform, both at home and abroad, directly supporting 
the war effort as code breakers, as Air Force service pilots, and as 
volunteers for organizations such as the Army Nurse Corps.
  The work carried out by women on the home front during World War II 
opened the door for women to hold more types of jobs than ever before, 
and it is long past time that Congress recognized their contributions 
to our Nation.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Norton, for 
introducing this important legislation. I would also like to extend my 
gratitude to Ms. Raya Kenney, who developed the idea for this memorial 
when she was in fifth grade, for her tireless efforts to ensure that 
the millions of women who worked on the home front during World War II 
are recognized and celebrated.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5068, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5068, which would 
authorize the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation to 
establish a commemorative work in Washington, D.C., to recognize the 
commitment and service represented by women who worked on the home 
front during World War II.
  These 19 million American women stepped up to support their Nation 
during America's involvement in World War II. Women worked in a huge 
variety of critical professional roles, including code breakers, 
aircraft testing pilots and trainers, welders, steamfitters, telegraph 
operators, radio and electrical engineers, crane operators, surveyors, 
assembly line workers, as they replaced men who were heading off to 
war.
  Some 300,000 Virginians served in uniform and more than 11,000 never 
returned home. For many women, the war provided increased opportunities 
to serve their community, their Nation, and to aid in the war effort.
  The work women did during World War II can never be fully measured, 
and their impact on our national welfare for the decades that followed 
should forever be enshrined in our national story.
  The beneficial contribution women made during the war were felt 
locally here in Virginia, as well as across the Nation.
  For example, the Richmond Engineering Company employed women welders 
who made bomb heads. At Newport News shipyard, women worked as crane 
operators, electricians, mechanics, and more, as critical members of 
the Defense production workforce.
  In recent years, Congress also has established the Rosie the Riveter 
National Historical Park in California to further highlight the work of 
these incredible patriots during the war. Authorizing this 
commemorative work in our Nation's capital is another fitting tribute 
to the brave, strong, multitalented, intelligent women who helped us 
win the war.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Grijalva for taking the Women Who Worked 
on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act through committee and 
bringing it to the floor. I appreciate that he allowed me to sit in and 
ask questions, and he conducted a hearing and pressed it forward 
quickly.
  Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill would authorize the establishment 
of a memorial on Federal land here in the District of Columbia 
commemorating the efforts of 18 million American women who kept the 
home front running during World War II. Women are dramatically 
underrepresented in our memorials.
  A 17-year-old constituent of mine, Raya Kenney, the founder of the 
Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation--yes, her own 
foundation--came up with the idea to honor the women on the home front 
who supported the World War II effort. Raya wondered why the women on 
the home front, whose efforts were so instrumental in maintaining the 
stability of the country during World War II, have not received much 
recognition for their contributions compared to the men who fought 
bravely in World War II.
  This bill would authorize the Women Who Worked on the Home Front 
Foundation to establish a memorial to honor these women. The memorial 
is designed to be interactive and to educate visitors on the important 
roles women played during World War II. No Federal funds would be 
required.
  Between 1940 and 1945, the percentage of women in the workforce 
increased from 27 percent to nearly 37 percent. And by 1945, one in 
four married women worked outside the home. The work done by women on 
the home front opened doors for women in the workplace generally and 
had a profound effect on the job market going forward, and even up to 
today.
  As a result of their efforts, women on the home front redefined many 
occupations that were especially considered men's work.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and all the leadership on the 
Committee on Natural Resources, again, for making this a reality. I 
thank my colleague, Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton, for the work that she 
did.
  Mr. Speaker, as we are talking about this bill, several years ago 
with my then-Republican colleague, Candace Miller, we did the first 
honor flight of the Rosie the Riveters. We went to the World War II 
Memorial, and it was incredible. But to have a place to take them will 
be very special, and I hope we are able to do it while some of them can 
appreciate what we are doing.
  This bipartisan legislation will honor the 18 million American women 
who

[[Page H5180]]

played a key role in our Nation's war effort during World War II 
through their efforts on the home front.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor and a senior member of 
the House of Representatives, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5068, 
the ``Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act,'' 
which would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land 
in the District of Columbia, commemorating the efforts of the 18 
million American women who kept the home front running during World War 
II.
  I would like to thank Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for 
introducing this important piece of legislation.
  It is no secret that women are dramatically underrepresented when it 
comes to our memorials.
  Despite being instrumental in maintaining the stability of the 
country during World War II, the women of World War II have not 
received much recognition for their contributions.
  This bill would change that by authorizing the Women Who Worked on 
the Home Front Foundation to establish a memorial to honor these women.
  The memorial is designed to be interactive and to educate visitors on 
the crucial roles women played during World War II.
  For instance, millions of American women took jobs to support their 
families and the country at large during World War II, forever 
redefining what ``women's work'' looked like.
  In fact, more than 10,000 women served behind the scenes of World War 
II as codebreakers.
  Women were also trained to fly military aircraft so that male pilots 
could leave for combat duty overseas.
  More than 1,100 female civilian volunteers flew nearly every type of 
military aircraft as part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) 
program.
  WASPs flew planes from factories to bases, transported cargo and 
participated in simulation strafing and target missions.
  Between 1940 and 1945, the percentage of women in the workforce 
increased from 27 percent to nearly 37 percent, and, by 1945, one in 
four married women worked outside of the home.
  The work done by women on the home front had a profound effect on the 
job market going forward.
  As the nation continues to mourn the loss of the `Notorious RBG', an 
unmatched constitutional scholar and Supreme Court Justice who 
irrevocably advanced the women's movement, I can think of no better way 
to honor her legacy than by voting for this bill to commemorate the 
women whose sacrifices and decisions to enter the workforce during 
World War II also helped to change perceptions about gender roles in 
society.
  We, as Members of Congress, have a duty to recognize and celebrate 
these revolutionary patriots for their service to this country.
  As a proud leader of this bill, I encourage my fellow colleagues to 
vote in favor of H.R. 5068.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5068, 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.

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