[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF ALMYRA ROURKE

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Almyra Rourke 
on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Her contributions to our 
community as a Rosie the Riveter are worthy of commendation.
  Born in Shiawassee County, Michigan she studied bookkeeping at 
Lansing Business College. After graduation, her work brought her to 
Ypsilanti where the Willow Run Bomber Plant was in need of workers in 
the payroll department. When she went into the interview, the worker 
who interviewed her told her that she would be let go after the war 
since this was another man's job. She started work that day along with 
six fellow graduates, the only women in a room full of men.
  What she had been told was a temporary role, became a career. After 
the war ended, Mrs. Rourke was transferred to Dearborn, Michigan and 
worked at Ford Motor Company for ten more years. At Willow Run, she 
worked on the balcony above the factory floor, and didn't think of 
herself as a Rosie the Riveter because she was not building the planes, 
but a friend told her: ``I couldn't have built those bombers if you 
weren't there to make sure I got paid every Friday. You're as much a 
Rosie as I am!'' As a Rosie, Almyra's hard work, grit, and patriotism 
not only sustained the American war effort, but paved a path for the 
next generation of working women.
  After the war, she married Laurence Rourke, who served in the 3rd 
Armored Division and was on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. Mrs. 
Rourke eventually left work to take care of her three children, 
Shirlee, Edward, and Laurene. She was a Troop Leader and Mr. Rourke was 
a Scoutmaster. They were active members of St. John the Baptist Church 
in Ypsilanti. After the children left for college, they kept active 
through square dancing clubs in Ann Arbor and by travelling the world--
reaching all fifty states and even attending the sixtieth anniversary 
of the liberation of Belgium in 2004.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating 
Almyra Rourke on her 100th birthday. I join with her family and friends 
in extending my best and warmest wishes to her on this special day. I 
am proud to honor her life, her accomplishments, and her invaluable 
contributions to our Nation.

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