2023 -- H 6501

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LC003174

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING JUNE 12, 2023, TO BE "WOMEN VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Shanley,
Lima, Kazarian, Morales, Chippendale, Batista, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: June 08, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Since the formation of the United States Army Nurse Corps in 1901, women

have served our nation in the military in an official capacity, and informally, they have served

since the inception of our nation’s military during the American Revolution; and

     WHEREAS, Women Veterans Appreciation Day is the anniversary of the day the

Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on

June 12, 1948. Prior to then, only women nurses could serve in the regular and reserve forces

during peacetime; and

     WHEREAS, Historically, women have made wide-ranging contributions to our country's

military and to securing and preserving freedom and liberty for the people of the United States

and our allies; and

     WHEREAS, During the American Revolution and the Civil War, women disguised

themselves as men in order to fight, and in World War I, approximately 35,000 women served as

nurses and support staff. During World War II, 140,000 women served in the Women’s Army

Corps (WACs) performing critical jobs, such as military intelligence, cryptography and parachute

rigging, and in Afghanistan, women were combat helicopter pilots, hunted the Taliban, and held a

variety of combat and supervisory roles; and

     WHEREAS, Currently, there are more than two million women Veterans in the United

States, Puerto Rico, and Territories/Foreign who are pushing boundaries and taking on

groundbreaking roles; and

     WHEREAS, We Rhode Islanders, as well as all Americans, believe it to be essential that

all the women who wear the uniform of the United States Armed Services know that they are

appreciated and never far from our thoughts and prayers; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims June 12, 2023, to be "Women Veterans Appreciation Day" in gratitude and recognition

for the critical role and dauntless service of women in the United States Armed Forces, and to

honor their sacrifices while valiantly serving our nation; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the State of Rhode Island Office of Veterans

Services, and the Rhode Island Veterans Home.

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