Senate Military And Veterans Affairs Committee

Senator Archuleta. Here.

Senator Grove. Senator McNerney. Here.

Senator Mindjavar.

Mr. Chairman, thank you so much. Members of the committee as well. This resolution, SJR 14, urges California's congressional delegation to support federal legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the United States Army Nurse Corps and the Navy Nurse Corps, who served during World War II. Now, I have a whole bunch of remarks, which I am not going to read, because I can't do a better job in explaining the reason, the importance, the impact of this resolution than Brigadier General from the United States Air Force, Ruth Wong, who's retired on behalf of the resolution today. So I would defer my comments, and with your indulgence, Mr. Chairman, would defer to our witness.

Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to testify for this very important resolution. I am testifying in inequivocal support of the World War II Nurses' Congressional Gold Medal Act. My testimony speaks to these unsung heroes. Both men and women served in the war, and the nurses were no exception. They were among the first women who answered our nation's call and volunteered, wanting to serve by helping nurse, soldiers, sailors, and aviators who needed their attention, whether it be at home or in the battlefield. Many came right out of nursing school who were not prepared to accept the challenges of harsh living with long hours and significant personal risk. They worked 12-hour days or longer, caring for heavy casualties. One nurse wrote, Casualties were more severe than any we have ever seen. Almost every patient who was brought to the operating room had at least one extremity amputated. The Army nurses served in the battlefield without the benefit of tent floors, running water, electricity, and hospital equipment. Kerosene lanterns and flashlights were used for light. Those serving in Europe endured constant bombardment by buzz bombs, some injuring or killing hospital personnel and patients. An experiment by the War Department ordered the construction of a general hospital close to the fighting lines as possible and also a triage system implemented to separate the walking wounded from the severely injured. Yes, there was discrimination too, even in the throes of war. Male officers were living in tents far from the front lines where there were no collapsing buildings or flying glass. The nurses were housed in multiple level buildings subject to collapse, many scoring direct hits. Navy nurses operated in combat zones aboard hospital ships, offshore hospitals, and some became pioneering flight nurses. Many served in the Pacific Theater, evacuating wounded sailors and Marines from Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Eleven Navy nurses were captured in the Philippines, enduring three years as prisoners of war. With a shortage of medical doctors, Navy nurses often acted as department heads, performing administrative duties in addition to nursing duties. They did it all. Getting on with their life after the war wasn't easy. One nurse said, I ducked under a table at the sound of a champagne cork popping. A sudden clap of thunder or door slamming created the same situation, always ending in tears, a luxury I wasn't allowed at work overseas. Although these nurses returning home were greeted as heroines, many faced challenges reintegrating. Some dealt with trauma and a lack of public understanding, yet many successfully built careers using their vital wartime medical experience. We shouldn't forget that others had unrecognized trauma, especially those serving years as POWs. My own return from the Persian Gulf War, serving as an Air Force flight nurse and commander of an aeromedical evacuation unit, left me with some of the reintegration challenges. Because the Persian Gulf War was the first war televised around the world, many people thought it was just a movie, and those serving were actors. I can tell you when you wear chemical gear every night for a month and fly into combat zones where Scud missiles were propelled, it certainly is not a movie. I found some civilians were insensitive and not understanding of what we endured. I can assure you, the war experience never leaves you. Despite the lack of immediate recognition compared to combat troops, the World War II nurses transformed nursing. They proved women could operate on the front lines, work in a demanding and challenging setting, and do what was needed to be done. A profound shift in nursing also occurred from traditional caretaking into a respected clinical and academic profession. World War II created a demand for massive educational expansion and established nurses as critical autonomous experts in healthcare The World War II nurse pioneers created a legacy of excellence for those of us who followed in the profession. The World War II nurses demonstrated frontline heroism, endured severe hardships, and 200 of them died in the line of duty from enemy fire, aircraft crashes, or illness. These unsung heroes overcame discrimination, their sacrifice long overlooked, and their recognition long overdue. Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal would ensure that their sacrifice, compassion, and dedication are permanently remembered by our nation. This is why we must award the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the United States Army Nurse Corps and Navy Nurse Corps who served during World War II. We owe them our gratitude. Thank you.

Senator Archuleta. Here. Senator Archuleta here.

Senator McNerney. Here. Senator McNerney here.

Senator Umber.

or comments from our senators senator Grove I want to say thank you very much for bringing this forward it's hard to believe that they have not been recognized up until 2026 this is kind of ridiculous that that this was I would hope but oversight and not something that was purposeful as the first female veteran that's ever been elected to the state legislature I think that this is not only admirable but well-deserved so thank you sir for bringing it forward

Again, I'd like to thank you. Senator Grove, you had mentioned you were the first female elected to the Senate and also the Military Veterans Committee as well. Is that true?

Right?

So the first female veteran elected to the California State Legislature.

Oh, I see. Okay. Good. Well, congratulations. Your sensitivity to this bill is so meaningful. We'd like to thank you for your input. And mine, of course, is to thank you, Senator, for bringing SJR 14. Many people understand the sacrifices made by the soldiers and sailors and Marines who served during World War II. But far less attention has been given to the women in the Army Corps and the Navy Nurses Corps who stood by our men and women and all those who served during the combat, who cared for them and helped bring them home mentally, some challenged and some obviously physically. More than 70,000 women answered the call. They provided life-saving care in combat zones aboard hospital ships, as you had mentioned, during evacuation missions and even became prisoners of war. The nurses served under dangerous and exhausting wartime conditions. They comforted the wounded, treated the dying, and played a vital role in saving so many lives. Today, only a handful of these World War II nurses, veterans, are believed to still be living. And it is so important, as General Wong had presented, that they be recognized, not just here in the state of California, but throughout the nation, and especially in our nation's capital. So with that, we do have a motion. General McNerney, thank you. And Madam Secretary, call the roll. Senator Archuleta.

Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove.

Senator Grove, aye. Senator McNerney.

Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Minjavar. Senator Umber. Okay, and our count? 3 a's and 3 zeroes, we'll keep that on call for the others to come in. And with that, Senator Choi, I know you've got to get to committees, as most of us do, so we'll bring you up.

this important resolution. Thank you Senator for your presentations. We'll now I'll move to lead witnesses in support. Do you have any in the room? Okay. Any in support for the opposition? I see none. And comments from our senators?

We've got a motion to move the bill. Thank you, Senator Grobe. And with that, Senator Choi, would you like to close?

Well, thank you, Senator Choi. This resolution highlights the important truth, no doubt, when our nation sends service members to harm's way and we begin to work together with our allies. And as you mentioned, no stronger ally was in Vietnam more so than the South Korean soldiers. As someone who served with the 82nd Airborne, I can tell you the men and women who have become our allies and serve with our men and women in various missions throughout the world, they should never be forgotten. And your commitment to this bill is amazing. And the dangers that the veterans served side by side, no doubt, hardships. But it gave us a sense of commitment, duty, honor, and country to serve. And this is a narrow and respectful request to honor a specific group of veterans who stood with the United States in war, later becoming United States citizens. And we're grateful for their contribution. So we have a motion. And Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Senator Archuleta.

Senator Archuleta, aye. Senator Grove.

Senator Grove, aye. Senator McNarnie, aye.

Senator Minjavar, Senator Umber. Okay. On call. Three to zero. We have three to zero. Bill on call. And with that, we'll stand by for the others to come in.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, okay. I'll call you right back. I'll call you right back. Okay. Okay. Open up the rows. I'm from Bonaya. Okay. Okay. Open up the rows on the first resolution presented by Senator Galvaton. Call the row. This motion is to be adopted, SJR 14.

Senator Umber, aye. Okay. The next one was SJR 17 by Senator Choi. Call the roll. Motion to be adopted on SJR 17.

Senator Umber, aye. Thank you, Tom. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. The motion is adopted on SJR 14. Senator Mindjavar?

Here. Aye. Here. Aye. Senator Mindjavar, aye. The motion is adopted on SJR 17. Senator Mindjavar?

Senator Mindjavar, aye. Very good. Thank you. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here this afternoon and supporting our veterans. The votes are out. 5-0. for Senate JR 14 and Senate JR 17. So thank you once again for everyone participating. Thank you.