[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22737-22738]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCING A BILL DESIGNATING A POST OFFICE AFTER LILLIAN KINKELLA 
                                  KEIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill designating 
a post office after Lillian Kinkella Keil, the most decorated female 
veteran in U.S. military history. Lillian Keil was a long time resident 
of Covina, California, in my Congressional District.
  Lillian Keil was born in 1917 in Arcata, California, and raised in a 
convent. As she watched the nuns take care of the sick, she was drawn 
to nursing. She became one of the first generation of stewardesses for 
United Airlines when many early flight attendants were nurses. In 1943, 
she joined the Army Air Corps (which later became the U.S. Air Force) 
as a flight nurse to serve in World War II. She rose to rank of 
Captain.
  Captain Lillian Keil has been called an ``Airborne Florence 
Nightingale.'' As a flight nurse, she helped to evacuate thousands of 
wounded U.S. troops from the battlefields during World War II and the 
Korean War. She flew more than 425 combat evacuation missions, rescuing 
men who fought in the Battle of Bulge and in Normandy during the D-Day 
invasion. She also was part of a team that followed General Patton's 
army across France with cargos of crucial supplies.
  Captain Lillian Keil died of cancer at the age of 88 earlier this 
year. Her life and decorated service to our country serve as an 
inspiration to current and future generations of Americans, 
particularly women serving in the U.S. military. Through it all, 
Captain Lillian Keil won the hearts and touched the lives of countless 
service members and their families. She never questioned what she 
needed to do and she was proud of her service.
  After serving her country, Captain Lillian Keil became an active 
member of various veterans' organizations. She was a member of the 
Veterans of Foreign War 8620 in West Covina, California, and the 
American Legion Post 790 in West Covina. She also belonged to the 
Chosin Few Veterans Military Organization.
  I am pleased that my colleagues from the California delegation have 
joined me in support of this bill. This legislation also enjoys support 
at the local level. Both the City of Covina and West Covina have 
expressed their support for naming the post office located at 545 North 
Rimsdale in Covina, California, after Lillian Kinkella Keil.
  My heart and my prayers go out to the family and friends of Captain 
Lillian Keil, as well as to those who have lost their loved ones during 
these turbulent times. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Captain Lillian Keil. This bill symbolizes the gratitude and admiration 
we have for our nation's soldiers who risk their life to defend our 
country.

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