Warren & Blackburn Announce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor World War II Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)
Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) today announced a bipartisan resolution to honor and commend the women who served the United States in the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the WAVES on July 30, 1942, when he signed the Navy Women’s Reserve Act into law. While women had served in the U.S. Navy’s enlisted ranks in a variety of positions during World War I, legislation passed after World War I limited women to service as nurses until the creation of the WAVES. By the end of World War II, more than 400,000 women had served the United States in military capacities, with every U.S. Navy aviator who entered combat receiving some part of his training from a WAVE.
“Tens of thousands of women bravely stepped forward to serve our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II -- we owe them our gratitude,” said Senator Warren. “Today, on the Navy’s birthday, Senator Blackburn and I are calling on our colleagues in Congress to honor these women for their work and their perseverance through this resolution.”
"Nearly 400 women of the Volunteer State valiantly answered the call to serve their nation during WWII," said Senator Blackburn. "Their sacrifice — and that of countless others across the nation — ensured victory for our allied forces. This bipartisan resolution honors their legacy and ensures their bravery is not forgotten."
Senate cosponsors include Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Braun (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Rick Scott (R-FL).
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