[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13385]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CALIFORNIA'S WOMEN VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today, during Women Veterans Week, 
to honor California's more than 165,000 women veterans, whose proud 
service and unwavering dedication to our country deserve the highest 
recognition and commendation.
  Throughout American history, women have courageously distinguished 
themselves by their service in the armed forces, even if they were not 
always under formal military command. Originally, women served as 
nurses, cooks, couriers, and spies during every American conflict from 
the Revolutionary War to the Spanish-American War, although it was only 
in 1901 that the Army Nurses Corps was established and uniformed women 
were formally incorporated into the military.
  The role of women continued to expand throughout the early 20th 
century, and by the end of World War II, nearly 350,000 women had 
served in noncombatant military positions, stationed at the frontlines 
and often targeted by enemy soldiers. In 1948, President Truman signed 
into law the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, granting women 
permanent status in our armed forces and paving the way for full 
integration of women in the military. Each decade since then, women 
have enlisted in dramatically increasing numbers, taking on 
increasingly diverse roles as engineers, communication specialists, 
intelligence analysts, and special forces.
  These service members have demonstrated tremendous courage and 
patriotism, and it's our responsibility to provide them with the strong 
support they deserve. We owe them no less.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the 
women of armed forces. Their achievements have made our military the 
best in the world and their commitment to our country has safeguarded 
the freedom and way of life cherished by every American.

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