R 379
2022 -- S 3013
Enacted 06/14/2022

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING JUNE 12, 2022, TO BE "WOMEN VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Walter S. Felag

Date Introduced: June 10, 2022

     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 almost 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 Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims June 12,
2022, 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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LC006099
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