World War II Women's Memorial Location Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my strong support for H.R. 2290, the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act, which I, as has been previously stated, introduced alongside my good friend, the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher).

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes The National Mall as the location for the memorial, commemorating the service and sacrifice of the women who worked on the home front during World War II.

This bill advances a decade-long effort to properly honor the more than 18 million trailblazing women who are now known and loved as Rosie the Riveters.

Our Rosies answered the call when our Nation needed them the most, redefining the role of the American woman and opening the door wider for generations to come. During World War II, women went to work in record numbers. Yet, they are all too often the untold story of the home front.

At Ford Motor Company's Willow Run bomber plant in Michigan, just as an example, women made up almost half of the workforce that turned out one complete B-24 Liberator bomber every 55 minutes. Many women worked in jobs that no one ever thought they could do, such as riveters.

Mr. Speaker, the Rosies taught me what a riveter was. I didn't realize what it was until I was by that plane, and I went: Oh, that is what a riveter is.

They were also welders, and they proved to themselves and the world that Americans can do it.

I am blessed to have many Rosies in my life. I have gone to many birthday parties for 100-, 102-, and 103-year-olds because we are blessed to have a number of the original Rosies living in my area. They have inspired me. They tell me their stories. On a cold Veterans Day this year, when the wind chill was zero degrees, I stood outside with those strong, resilient women with every ounce of their intellect there, sharing the stories of what it meant to be a Rosie.

This bill will take us one critical step closer to ensuring that our Rosies receive the recognition that they deserve.

In 2022, Congress passed bipartisan legislation authorizing the establishment of a memorial dedicated to the Rosies. However, additional legislation is needed to permit the memorial to be located near the existing World War II Memorial. They are part of that whole story.

I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and help complete the story of World War II in our Nation's front yard.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act, which was carefully crafted to respect the Commemorative Works Act process, honoring the legacies of our Rosies and ensuring that the memorial may be located at a site near the current World War II Memorial.

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