Request to Name U.S. Vessel After Rear Admiral Duerk

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce bipartisan legislation, alongside my northwest Ohio colleague, Representative Bob Latta.

Our purpose is to honor a legendary Ohioan and pioneer of American military history, Rear Admiral Alene B. Duerk.

Admiral Duerk was the first woman in the United States Navy to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral. Our legislation would require the Navy to rename a naval vessel in her honor.

Admiral Duerk was born in Defiance, Ohio, raised in Holgate, and graduated from the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing in 1941. Over her long career, she treated wounded servicemembers during World War II and the Korean war. In 1972, she became the first woman in naval history to attain flag rank.

In August, I also joined Representative Tim Kennedy in sending a letter to the Secretary of Defense asking to rename a vessel in her honor and in September sponsored a separate amendment to this year's National Defense Authorization Act.

Our added legislation continues our effort to properly honor Rear Admiral Duerk. I look forward to working with colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to ensure Rear Admiral Duerk's legacy of service, sacrifice, and excellence is properly honored and commemorated by the people of the United States of America.

Go Navy.

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