[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E569-E570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO ANNA MAE WILSON ROBERTSON
______
HON. GWEN MOORE
of wisconsin
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning with a heavy
heart to mourn the recent passing of Private First-Class Anna Mae
Wilson Robertson of Milwaukee, a World War II veteran, devoted mother,
and a truly revered figure in both our city and our Nation. I extend my
heartfelt condolences to her loving family, dear friends, and the many
individuals whose lives were touched by her remarkable spirit.
Just a few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining the Speaker of the
House, the Senate Majority Leader, the House Minority Leader, and the
Senate Minority Leader in a ceremony in Emancipation Hall in the
Capitol Visitor Center to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on the
Women's Army Corps 6888 Central Postal Battalion, in which Mrs.
Robertson served during WWII. This was a woman of service to her
country, to her community, and to her family. Her impeccable
performance deserves to stand the test of time.
Mrs. Robertson's life was nothing short of historic. Born in 1924 in
Mississippi, she came into a world marked by segregation and injustice,
yet she chose to rise above it all with courage, purpose, and a
steadfast commitment to service. After the death of her mother, both
Mrs. Robertson and her brother answered the call to service in the
midst of World War II. On March 12, 1943, Mrs. Robertson entered
active-duty service in the United States Army and was assigned to the
Women's Army Corps 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, known today
as the legendary ``Six Triple Eight.''
This battalion, composed of 855 pioneering women, was the only all-
Black and multi-ethnic unit in the U.S. Women's Army Corps deployed
overseas during WWII. Upon their arrival in Birmingham, England, the
Six Triple Eight were tasked with sorting through a daunting backlog of
undelivered pieces of mail. These letters and packages represented a
vital lifeline between American servicemembers and their families.
Facing harsh working conditions and a severe lack of recognition, these
women developed an innovative system and cleared the backlog in just
three months, an achievement that was three months ahead of schedule.
After the Birmingham backlog was cleared, the Six Triple Eight
continued their work in Rouen and Paris, France, where they tackled
similar backlogs and ensured that communication between soldiers and
their loved ones was restored. In doing so, Private First-Class
Robertson and her fellow soldiers lifted the spirits of millions,
reminding us that even in war, love and connection endure. Their
contributions were critical not only to the war effort but to the very
fabric of American morale.
After returning to the United States, Mrs. Robertson and her fellow
soldiers of the Six Triple Eight received no welcomes, recognition,
medals, or acknowledgment of their service. Both while deployed and
returning home, they faced the harsh realities of racial and gender
discrimination, segregated housing, separate dining facilities, and
unequal treatment. Yet in the face of systemic injustice, Mrs.
Robertson remained steadfast in her sense of duty, dignity, and quiet
resilience. Her legacy is defined by grace under pressure and strength
and resilience amid silence.
After the war, Mrs. Robertson went on to continue her service to the
community as a nursing assistant at Wood Hospital, renamed the Clement
J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. She also worked for the Milwaukee County
Hospital and St. Camillus Health Care in similar positions, caring for
the sick. She was widely respected for her compassion, leadership, and
tireless dedication to others. Her marriage to John Robertson, which
spanned 38 years until his passing in 1983, and her role as a devoted
mother to eight children grounded her in love and purpose. Mrs.
Robertson drew strength from the deep love she shared with her family,
especially her many cherished grandchildren.
I first became aware of Mrs. Robertson's incredible story and that of
the Six Triple Eight in 2013 when her family contacted my office for
assistance in obtaining her service medals. My staff and I worked with
the National Personnel Records Center to verify what awards she should
have received. Nearly seventy years after her service, I was honored to
present Mrs. Robertson with the Woman's Army Corps Service Medal, the
American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the World War II Honorable
Service Lapel Button.
In 2021, I was proud to help shepherd the House bill that enshrined
her legacy and that of her battalion by supporting the Six Triple Eight
Congressional Gold Medal Act, alongside my colleague, Representative
Jake LaTurner, finally awarding these sheroes the highest civilian
honor bestowed by the United States Congress. I had the incredible
privilege of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Mrs. Robertson's
family, honoring her legacy and the sacrifices of the Six Triple Eight.
This long-overdue recognition serves not only as a symbol of their
valor but as a rectification of justice, restoring to the public record
the full measure of their sacrifice, service, and
[[Page E570]]
achievement. Their story is further cemented into our Nation's
collective memory through the 2024 American film, The Six Triple Eight,
which honors the legacy of Mrs. Robertson and her fellow soldiers.
Mrs. Robertson lived over a century, and throughout it all, she
exemplified service, humility, and quiet heroism. I am proud to say
that Mrs. Robertson and her battalion's service is now secured in our
Nation's law and tradition. Mrs. Robertson's life reminds us that the
fight for justice does not cease, even when justice is long overdue.
Mr. Speaker, it is for all these reasons that I am deeply honored to
pay tribute to this American trailblazer, Private First-Class Anna Mae
Wilson Robertson. The people of the Fourth Congressional District, the
State of Wisconsin, and the entire United States stand in gratitude for
a lifetime of courage and selfless service. Her legacy will continue to
inspire future generations, and her story will remain forever etched
into the conscience of our Nation.
____________________