Bill Text: IL HR0283 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares June 12, 2023 as "Women's Veterans Day" 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-24 - Added Co-Sponsor All Other Members of the House [HR0283 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0283-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.