[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7568]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                             WOMEN VETERANS

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to 
salute the women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and honor the 
sacrifices they have made for our country.
  Long before they were welcomed as members of the military, women 
played an important role in supporting our troops. Since the American 
Revolution, women have tended to the wounded and provided care to our 
soldiers. In the early 20th century, women answered the ultimate call 
to duty and began to serve proudly in our Armed Forces.
  These early women veterans were trailblazers, creating new 
opportunities for the women that follow in their footsteps. They gave 
all that they could to protect and defend our country, often without 
the same recognition given to their male counterparts. Today, women 
serve at all levels of the armed services as combat pilots, medical 
care professionals, engineers, and police officers.
  There are over 1.8 million women veterans in the United States and 
the role of women in the armed services continues to grow. Over 212,000 
women have served actively in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 120 women 
soldiers have sacrificed their lives and many more have been wounded. 
These women have played an integral role in our military's success, 
working closely with ground combat troops.
  Women have been and continue to be a vital part of the military. 
Their bravery and patriotism is without question. Their contributions 
demand recognition. We must pay tribute to those women veterans who 
answered the call to defend America.
  On behalf of myself, and speaking for the thousands of women who have 
benefited from their example, I would like to recognize and thank the 
women who have served our country, proudly and with honor.

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