Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5068, which would authorize the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation to establish a commemorative work in Washington, D.C., to recognize the commitment and service represented by women who worked on the home front during World War II.
These 19 million American women stepped up to support their Nation during America's involvement in World War II. Women worked in a huge variety of critical professional roles, including code breakers, aircraft testing pilots and trainers, welders, steamfitters, telegraph operators, radio and electrical engineers, crane operators, surveyors, assembly line workers, as they replaced men who were heading off to war.
Some 300,000 Virginians served in uniform and more than 11,000 never returned home. For many women, the war provided increased opportunities to serve their community, their Nation, and to aid in the war effort.
The work women did during World War II can never be fully measured, and their impact on our national welfare for the decades that followed should forever be enshrined in our national story.
The beneficial contribution women made during the war were felt locally here in Virginia, as well as across the Nation.
For example, the Richmond Engineering Company employed women welders who made bomb heads. At Newport News shipyard, women worked as crane operators, electricians, mechanics, and more, as critical members of the Defense production workforce.
In recent years, Congress also has established the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park in California to further highlight the work of these incredible patriots during the war. Authorizing this commemorative work in our Nation's capital is another fitting tribute to the brave, strong, multitalented, intelligent women who helped us win the war.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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