WASP Legislation Becomes Rep. McSally’s Second Bill To Be Signed Into Law

U.S. Representative Martha McSally’s legislation, the Women Airforce Service Pilots Arlington Inurnment Restoration (WASP AIR) Act, was signed into law Friday by President Obama. The bill signing caps off a 20-week fight led by Rep. McSally to restore the eligibility of women World War II pilots at Arlington National Cemetery.

“Today, honor has been restored to some of our country’s greatest heroes,” said Rep. McSally. “With this signing, generations of Americans will be able to come to Arlington and see how the WASPs served during a time of great need and, in doing so, paved the way for all women to serve in the military. I thank the thousands of Americans who gave their support to this fight and especially recognize the family of WASP Elaine Harmon, whose relentless efforts have won justice for their grandmother and all the WASPs. I look forward to the day when we can be there at Arlington to welcome these pioneers home.”

“Today is a victorious occasion for a revolutionary group of women who deserve to be celebrated and remembered by all,” said Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate. “The Women Airforce Service Pilots were early pioneers in military aviation. They willingly put their lives on the line in service to our great country, and made tremendous sacrifices to join a ground-breaking flight program to free up their male counterparts for combat duty, during World War II. Restoring what was once the right of the WASP to have their ashes placed at Arlington National Cemetery is undoubtedly the right thing to do in honoring these extraordinary women for their remarkable military service. The WASP stand in history as role models for women in the military, proving their strength and fortitude in the missions they carried out. I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Senator Mikulski and Congresswomen McSally and Davis to honor the legacy of these truly remarkable female trailblazers within our military.”

"This bill has always been more than just access to Arlington; it’s been about the respect and recognition for the role these amazing women played in winning World War II,” said Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee and co-sponsor of the House bill. “Arlington has always been considered a special place of honor. If you are laid to rest in Arlington, it is known that you sacrificed to protect and preserve our democracy.”

"I cannot thank Representative McSally and her staff enough for all the work they put in to ensure success,” said Erin Miller, granddaughter of WASP Elaine Harmon. "Overturning the decision of the Army seemed like an insurmountable obstacle just six months ago but now my grandmother will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Representative McSally tackled this problem head-on with as much dedication as she would have for her own grandmother and for this my family and the women of the WASP will be forever grateful."

The WASP Air Act, H.R. 4336, is Rep. McSally’s second bill to be signed into law.  On October 19, 2016, the President signed into law her bill, the Border Jobs for Veterans Act, legislation to fast track veterans for jobs at border ports of entry.

(Source: Rep. McSally news release. Images from file)

FMI: http://mcsally.house.gov