[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22108]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MARY L. NIRMAIER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary L. 
Nirmaier and Rose Ross, two members of the only 300 remaining survivors 
of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. I am proud to see these two 
remarkable women honored with the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Women Airforce Service Pilots were the first women in history to fly 
America's military aircraft. Between the years 1942-1944, women were 
recruited to fly non-combat missions, so that male pilots could be 
deployed in combat. Through their actions, Women Airforce Service 
Pilots were a catalyst for revolutionary reform in the integration of 
women pilots into the U.S. Armed Services.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest and most distinguished 
award that the U.S. Congress can award to a civilian. Just as the 
Navajo Code Talkers and Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction and 
were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, it is also appropriate for 
Congress to recognize and honor the service of the WASP with the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  Our soldiers, sailors, and pilots sacrifice everything they have in 
service to America and will serve as a permanent reminder of the 
bravery, loyal patriotism, and love of country.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
wishing Ms. Nirmaier and Ms. Ross our sincerest thanks and appreciation 
for their commitment, dedication, and service to our nation. It is an 
honor to represent them in the United States Congress.

                          ____________________