[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11054]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE WOMEN AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS OF WWII

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2014, a 
bill that Congresswoman Susan Davis and I have introduced, which honors 
the Women Air Force Service Pilots of World War II.
  WASP, or Women Air Force Service Pilots, were the first women in 
history to fly America's military aircraft. Between the years 1942-
1944, these courageous women volunteered to fly noncombat missions so 
that every available male pilot could be deployed in combat.
  By the time the war ended, 38 women pilots had lost their lives while 
flying for our country.
  These valiant women have never received the full recognition that 
they deserve for their wartime military service to America. Their 
example paved the way for women who today fly every type of aircraft.
  My daughter-in-law, Lindsay, flies F/A-18 fighter jets for the Marine 
Corps thanks to these courageous women. Of the 1,102 WASPs trained 
during World War II, only 300 of these women pioneers are still alive 
today.
  Madam Speaker, the time is now for us to honor these women with this 
body's highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. As such, I urge my 
colleagues to cosponsor this bill, and I urge its prompt consideration.

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