Steve Cohen: “One of my constituents, Memphian Command Master Chief Evelyn ``Vonn'' Banks, will retire on Saturday from the Navy with…”

“One of my constituents, Memphian Command Master Chief Evelyn ``Vonn'' Banks, will retire on Saturday from the Navy with the honor of being the senior-most enlisted female in the United States Navy. Her tours have ranged from the Navy recruiting district office in Memphis to a 10-month deployment on the USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She most recently served as command master chief at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and has inspired countless young midshipwomen throughout her career by demonstrating that women can succeed and be influential in the Navy. Command Master Chief Banks was at the Navy Yard in Washington on September 15, the day of the tragic shooting. She knew many, if not all, of the victims personally and attended the funeral of each of the 11 victims and the shooter. Command Master Chief Banks has worn black for 120 consecutive days to mourn the lives of each: 10 days for each, and 10 for the shooter as well. I appreciate the service of Command Master Chief Banks, wish her the best in her well-deserved retirement from the Navy, thank her for her service to our country, and welcome her back to Memphis, Tennessee. She is an outstanding constituent who has served our country in the United States Navy for the last thirty years. Command Master Chief Evelyn ``Vonn'' Banks will retire on February 1 with the honor of being the senior-most enlisted female in the United States Navy.…”