House Passes Two Zinke Bills

Press Release

Today the House of Representatives passed two of Congressman Ryan Zinke's bills, HR1521 (companion bill to S.719) to rename the Armed Forces Readiness Center in Great Falls and HR 4570 the 100 Years of Women in Congress Act.. The renaming bill passed the Senate and is now headed to President Obama's desk.

HR 4570 the 100 Years of Women in Congress Act

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress, Jeannette Rankin, the bill would rename the WAMS Program ("Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program" at the USDA) as the "Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program." In addition to being the first woman elected to Congress, Rankin graduated with a biology degree from the University of Montana in 1902, making her a true pioneer for women in STEM. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Zinke said, "Rep. Rankin was a true Montanan, embodying the pioneer spirit we know and love. Rankin led the way for women in both STEM and politics. She was the first woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, and that was at a time in our nation when many women didn't even have the right to vote. She was a famously spirited debater and leading women's suffrage advocate. Not being content blazing trails in just one field, Rankin was also a gifted scientific mind having graduated from the University of Montana with a biology degree. This grant program is an important tool for young women of today to continue their education in STEM and possibly break new ground and blaze new trails for the young women of tomorrow. I am proud to have one of Rep. Rankin's relatives continuing the tradition of service to Montana on my staff and I thank Congresswoman Meng for leading this bipartisan effort with me."

"U.S. Rep. Jeannette Rankin was a pioneer whose historic election paved the way for women to serve in Congress," said Meng. "This legislation is the perfect vehicle to pay tribute to her legacy, and ensure that the achievements she made are not forgotten. I thank my colleagues in the House for agreeing, and I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Zinke on this important and bipartisan effort."

If renamed, the program would remain a competitive initiative which provides grants to colleges and universities that encourage women and minorities to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 47 percent of the total U.S. workforce. Although gains have been made in STEM fields, women still comprise only 39 percent of chemists and material scientists, 28 percent of environmental scientists and geoscientists, 16 percent of chemical engineers and 12 percent of civil engineers.

HR 1521 to rename the Armed Forces Readiness Center in Great Falls

Rep. Zinke introduced the legislation in March of 2015 to honor Montana Medal of Honor recipients Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt and rename the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls the "Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center." The building cannot be renamed without Congressional approval. Senator Tester carried the legislation in the U.S. Senate. Captain John E. Moran served in the Philippine-American War and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1910. Captain William Wylie Galt of Great Falls served in World War II and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945 after he was killed in Action in Italy.

Zinke said, "Montana has a strong heritage of military service, with more veterans per capita than almost every other state in the nation. Captain Moran and Captain Galt are an inspiration to every Montanan, myself included. Both Captain Moran and Captain Galt received the Medal of Honor, this nation's most distinguished honor, for displaying such personal bravery that went above and beyond the calls of duty. Memorializing these two heroes by renaming the Armed Forces Reserve Center will provide a daily reminder to us of the service and sacrifice of Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt. I'd like to thank my friends Senator Steve Daines and Senator Jon Tester for seeing this important bill through the Senate and I'm proud to see this issue to completion here in the House."

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