A resolution commemorating 50 years of women serving as naval aviators in the United States.

Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security, Congressional tributes, Military education and training, Military history, Military personnel and dependents, Minority employment, U.S. history

Summary:  <p>This resolution honors the contributions made by the First Six (i.e., the first six women to earn their Wings of Gold) to naval aviation in the United States. The resolution also recognizes 50 years of women serving as naval aviators in the United States and the roles that Naval Air Station Pensacola and the Pensacola, Florida, community have played in naval aviation history.</p>

<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 212 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 212

Commemorating 50 years of women serving as naval aviators in the United 
                                States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 11, 2023

  Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Scott of Florida, and Ms. 
Duckworth) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commemorating 50 years of women serving as naval aviators in the United 
                                States.

Whereas, while women had officially served in various capacities in the Navy 
        since 1908, prior to 1973, women had been prevented from serving as 
        naval aviators;
Whereas, in October 1972, the Navy announced a program to open flight training 
        to women;
Whereas, on January 10, 1973, Secretary of the Navy John Warner presented flight 
        training orders to Judith Neuffer, the first woman to be selected for 
        flight training in the Navy;
Whereas 7 additional women were selected for training as naval aviators, and the 
        group consisted of 4 women who already served as Navy officers and 4 
        civilians;
Whereas, on March 2, 1973, the first 4 women already serving as Navy officers 
        began flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, 
        Florida;
Whereas the 4 civilian women selected for flight training were commissioned in 
        May 1973, and reported to training at Naval Air Station Pensacola on 
        June 4, 1973;
Whereas, on February 22, 1974, Barbara Allen became the first female naval 
        aviator to earn her Wings of Gold;
Whereas, out of the 8 women to be selected for flight training, 6 women, 
        nicknamed the ``First Six'' (referred to in this preamble as the ``First 
        Six''), would go on to earn their Wings of Gold;
Whereas the First Six comprised Judith Neuffer, Barbara Allen, Rosemary 
        Conatser, Jane Skiles, Joellen Drag, and Ann Marie Scott;
Whereas Naval Air Station Pensacola is the ``Cradle of Naval Aviation'' and 
        serves as the training ground for every naval aviator;
Whereas Naval Air Station Pensacola has played a valuable role in the historic 
        milestone of women training to be naval aviators; and
Whereas the First Six became the first women to hold various naval aviation 
        positions in the Navy: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the invaluable contributions that the first 6 
        women to earn their Wings of Gold (referred to in this 
        resolution as the ``First Six'') made to naval aviation in the 
        United States;
            (2) applauds the steadfast leadership and courage of the 
        First Six that opened doors for women to serve in every level 
        of naval aviation in the United States today;
            (3) recognizes 50 years of women serving as naval aviators 
        in the United States and the roles that Naval Air Station 
        Pensacola and the Pensacola, Florida community have played in 
        this milestone and in naval aviation history in the United 
        States; and
            (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Commanding 
        Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Captain Terrence M. 
        Shashaty.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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