HR0283 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0283 LRB103 32374 MST 61788 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Women have proudly served their country throughout the history of the United States, whether in the disguise of a male soldier during the American Revolution and Civil War, as a nurse in World War I, as a combat helicopter pilot in Afghanistan or in another of many additional roles throughout the years; and

WHEREAS, Women have formally been part of the United States Armed Forces since the inception of the Army Nurse Corps in 1901 but have informally served since the inception of our nation's military; and

WHEREAS, In 1917, the United States Navy announced it would open enlistment to women, and approximately 12,000 women officially joined the Navy to serve in a variety of positions, including as interpreters, couriers, and translators as well as positions using drafting skills; and

WHEREAS, At the conclusion of World War II in 1945, there were 12 million enlisted who were remaining to serve in the United States military, of which approximately 280,000 were women; and

WHEREAS, With the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, women became a permanent part of the United States military but were restricted to two percent of the military population; the restriction was finally lifted in 1967 with an amendment to the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, which opened senior officer ranks to women; and

WHEREAS, On June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act into law, allowing women to serve as regular members of the United States military; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several laws were passed that recognized the many contributions made by women during World War II and that formally granted veteran status to women for their time in service; this allowed women to utilize programs, opportunities, and benefits from the federal and state governments, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and veteran service organizations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare June 12, 2023 as "Women's Veterans Day" in the State of Illinois to commemorate the day women were officially added as regular members of the United States military, to recognize the critical role of women in the military forces, and to commemorate the sacrifices and valor displayed by Illinois women veterans; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Women's Veterans Day be observed with appropriate programs, services, and activities.