Annie Kuster: “I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for acknowledging the Women Airforce Service Pilots. My father was a…”

“I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for acknowledging the Women Airforce Service Pilots. My father was a P-47 fighter pilot in World War II, and he was able to access the benefits that were due him in terms of his military career. It is only fitting now, during Women's History Month, that we begin to finally get the opportunity for the WASPs to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. I acknowledge my colleague Representative McSally, in her great service to this country, and my colleague Tammy Duckworth, a combat helicopter pilot. I also acknowledge the veterans who serve on our Veterans' Affairs Committee's staff. We recently had a ceremony with Brigadier General Wilma Vaught. She was the first woman to reach the brigadier general status and was the first woman to deploy within the Air Force bomber unit. She is an inspiration to us. One of the important reasons for doing this bill now is that we learned recently during a hearing in the Veterans' Affairs Committee that women are the fastest growing group of veterans but that, often, our women veterans do not access the VA benefits, including health benefits and cemetery benefits, to which they are entitled. We need to encourage women who have served the country. You have served us, and now it is our turn to serve you. We need to encourage our women veterans to come forward for the benefits they deserve.…”