00:00And we will start with the gentleman from Idaho, Mr. Fulcher. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for doing this hearing. This is one of those, you know, none of all hearings are very fun, right? This is fun. Let's be honest, they're just not. This one is a real honor. Thank you for hosting this and being the chair. Mr. Chairman, I'm proud to co-lead the bipartisan World War II Women's War Memorial Location Act along with Congresswoman Dingell. I want to thank Raya Kenney for your role in all this.
00:30We've got a question for you here in just a moment. But as has been stated, just the brief recap is with millions of men overseas in this World War II era, American women, popularly known as the Rosies, stepped into the roles traditionally held by those men. And those women answered the call to service by holding down the home front, working as pilots and engineers, electricians, mechanics, and many, many more. In my home state of Idaho, civilian women worked and volunteered at the Farragut Naval
01:00Training Station in northern Idaho. And here's a piece of trivia that I'm just going to add in there. That's the birthplace of the nuclear navy. Now, most people don't realize in the state of Idaho, which is entirely landlocked, that's where it was born in that research location along with what's now the Idaho National Lab for Propulsion and the University of Idaho for Communications. That's where the nuclear navy was started. And that we had many of the Rosies serving there and participating in all that history.
01:28So that was built as a concealed location for research, top secret, because it was inland, and it was built shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Still there today, by the way. Became the second largest naval training base in the country, and their presence was felt across every state, countless shipyards, factories, farms, and ranches. Despite their monumental contributions, we still lack an independent, prominent memorial
01:57memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring these patriots. And there's the urgency to pass this bill. So that the living Rosies, Ryan, I'm going to just inject real quick, do you have any idea how many Rosies might still be alive?
02:12I don't have an exact number on that. I wish I did. But I do know that their numbers are dwindling every month that passes during this effort, which is why we're seeking such urgency for the quick passage of this legislation.
02:24So that they may have the opportunity to come and see themselves memorialized in the states.
02:29As with all of our heroes. And so I agree on the timing. But we want them to see their legacy commemorated. And we can fold that into the broader America 250 effort, which has also been referenced here today.
02:43But the memorial's construction will be funded entirely through private donations, won't use any taxpayer dollars. And Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I'd like to ask unanimous consent. I've got three letters here in support of this. And it's from the Women's Veterans Alliance, from the Rosie River Trust, and the World War II Women's Memorial Foundation. I'd request unanimous consent to put those in the record today.
03:08Without objection. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And with that, I ask for my colleagues to support this legislation. Just one last question while I've got time, Raya. This couldn't have been a total smooth sailing effort. Obviously, you've made a lot of progress since being in fifth grade. But take just a minute, because that's literally all we've got left. Tell us about some of the obstacles that you've
03:38had to overcome. It has been a very long process. But it's been a very rewarding one. The length of time has allowed me, while it's been frustrating at times to have taken three steps forward and then Congress turns over and you sort of have to start from the beginning, while that part has been frustrating, the rewarding part has been being able to meet people, have Rosie's in their families, and who have been able to discover those Rosie stories and preserve them.
04:06Becoming aware of our memorial efforts and wanting to dedicate themselves to it in whatever way they can. Though it's been long and lengthy and complicated at times, I definitely look at that as the light at the end of this brilliant tunnel we're working through right now.
04:22Well, thank you for that and to our panelists and for all of your efforts. And it's an honor to be able to support this here in our subcommittee today. Mr. Chairman, without a yield back.
04:30Mr. Chairman, without a yield back.
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04:48Mr. Chairman, without a yield back.
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