Assembly also passed Russell’s legislation
to assist veterans who
experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Assemblywoman
Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that the Assembly passed a commemorative
resolution declaring June 12, Women Veterans Recognition Day in New
York (K.612). Assemblywoman Russell also honored the
brave women veterans who have served our country by hosting a luncheon in the Legislative
Office Building Albany to discuss issues that
impact female military members.
Women
Veterans Recognition Day coincides with the 65th anniversary of the
Women’s Armed Services Act of 1948. Signed into law by President Harry S.
Truman, the law ensured that women would have a permanent place in the Army,
Navy, Air Force and Marines.
“Since that vital piece of
legislation was signed into law, women in the military have contributed
endlessly toward protecting the rights and freedom of our country,”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “If you look back at every war or conflict America
has been involved with in the past 65 years, women were there playing a
valuable role – and now they literally are fighting right alongside their male
counterparts. Because women have been an integral part of our military history
and have made incredible sacrifices for our country, they deserve a special day
to be honored.”
Since the Women’s Armed Services
Act of 1948 was made law, more than 80,000 women from New
York State United States
military. Currently, women make up nearly 15 percent of our active duty
military and as of 2009, 15.5 percent of the officers across the four military
branches are women. In January 2013, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced
that the military would be lifting the policy against women in combat roles,
marking a major advancement in policy. Further, in April 2013, the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new hotline geared at
assisting women veterans, their families and caretakers (1-855-VA-WOMEN).
Coinciding with Women Veterans
Recognition Day, the Assembly passed important legislation Assemblywoman
Russell sponsored to require that veteran organizations direct assistance to
veterans who experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) during their military
service (A.7086). As the chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans
and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Assemblywoman Russell is
deeply committed to implementing policies that best support our veterans’
needs.
“The issues our veterans are facing are continually changing,”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “That is why today is not only an occasion to honor
women veterans for their service, it is also an opportunity to pass vital
legislation supporting those who have answered the call to duty and sacrificed
for our country.”
In honor of women past and present
who have served our country, Assemblywoman Russell also encourages everyone to
visit the New York State Women Veterans Memorial located on Madison Avenue and South
Swan Street in Albany ,
near the New York State
Museum
-30-