Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and Members of Congress will hold a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on March 10, 2010 in the Capitol to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II.
The WASP was a pioneering organization of civilian female pilots employed to fly military aircrafts under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. More than 60 years ago, they flew fighter, bomber, transport, and training aircraft in defense of America’s freedom. Through their actions, the WASP eventually were the catalyst for revolutionary reform in the integration of women pilots into the Armed Services.
Legislation to support the WASP Congressional Gold Medal was co-sponsored by: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Representative Susan Davis (D-CA). On July 1, 2009, President Obama signed this legislation.
“This Congressional Gold Medal honors the remarkable accomplishments, courage, and sacrifice of a distinct group of women in the United States military,” said Congresswomen Ros-Lehtinen and Davis, and Senators Hutchison and Mikulski. “The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII will be remembered for their dedicated efforts and unwavering service to our country in the fight for freedom.”
NOTE: For additional information on the events surrounding the ceremony, please click here.
For invitation information for all WASP and family members of deceased WASP, please contact Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Inc.:wasp@womensmemorial.org or (703) 533-1155.
Date: Friday, January 29, 2010
CONTACT: Brendan Daly, Pelosi, (202) 226-7616
Jim Manley, Reid, (202) 224-2939
Jennifer Morris, McConnell, (202) 224-2979
Kevin Smith, Boehner, (202) 225-4000
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