On November 5, the House passed, 366-0, a resolution honoring the service of women members of the armed forces (H. Res. 868).
Sponsored by Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:
The resolution “honors and recognizes the service and achievements of current and former female members of the armed forces…encourages all people in the United States to learn about the history of service and achievements of women in the military; and supports groups that raise awareness about the service and achievements of women in the military and female veterans through exhibitions, museums, statues, and other programs and activities.”
Rep. Davis said, “As chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel and co-chair of the Women’s Caucus Task Force on Women in the Military and Veterans, I am privileged to honor the legacy of servicewomen in the past, the courage with which women serve today, and the enthusiasm of the young women who dream of serving this great nation in the future. Part of honoring them is asking the tough questions about the expanding roles our servicewomen are taking on…I had the opportunity to meet a group of servicewomen that are an extraordinary example of what female service members are capable of. In my conversations with them, I was astounded by their work and their bravery. And yet, despite that dedication, these women have encountered difficulties in gaining proper recognition for their service, both within the services and in seeking assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs…The dedication of women in the armed forces and the insight they offer about it is invaluable, but they are adamant that they do not want to be treated differently. They do not seek special recognition, but their service is just as real as their counterparts’. This resolution recognizes the sacrifices our servicewomen and their families make to keep everyone’s family safe.”
“Today, it is becoming likely that a veteran may be a woman,” said Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK). “While men still outnumber women in the armed forces, military service is no longer a career choice for men only…As we have since the Revolution, women are playing a vital role in the defense of our nation. Today, deployed in two different theaters and in every corner of the world, women have played a significant role in our victory and success; but as we remember their accomplishments, we must remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Since the United States went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 122 women in uniform have lost their lives in support of our ongoing operations. Their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families is very painful, but it is a sacrifice of freedom…While it is our duty to mourn the fallen, it is also our duty to honor those who have served with dignity and who have returned to take their places back among society. Those women today have answered that call. They chose to serve in the military. They did so because they believed in America – in freedom and in the power of our American ideals – and they believed in the need to protect those ideals here and abroad.”