Rep. Miller to Participate in Ribbon Cutting at Rosie Visitor Center in Richmond this Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez), who in 2000 authored legislation creating the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, issued this statement after the House passed a resolution today honoring the important home front contributions made by American women to the Allied victory in World War II.  Miller was one of the primary co-sponsors of the resolution.

"Today the House passed a resolution to thank the 6 million women who helped make history by answering the call to service on the home front during World War II.

"'Rosies' built tanks and ships, working as welders, machinists, mechanics, pipe fitters, electricians, and boilermakers.  They learned skilled jobs previously reserved for men, earned 'men's' wages, and gained new independence.

"In the Kaiser shipyards in Richmond - the largest and most productive of World War II, turning out one Liberty ship a day - women comprised over a quarter of the tens of thousands of people drawn there to work. The Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park stands as a testament to these women who altered the course of history, reshaped the map of the Bay Area, and changed our society as a whole.

"The efforts and sacrifices of these women made victory abroad possible and brought great changes here at home. The Rosie era saw women and minorities gain access to high-paying jobs in industry for the first time. It saw employees receive health care benefits. It saw the creation of child care programs and other services that helped parents balance work and family. And it saw productive partnerships among government, industry, and labor unions.

"The bill passed in the House today honors the women who aided in the war effort by working on the home front, applauds the improvements in the workplace and in our society during the Rosie the Riveter era, and urges Americans to study and celebrate the women symbolized by Rosie."

This coming Saturday, Miller will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the interim visitor center for the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.  The park makes Richmond the center of all Rosie the Riveter museum and historical activity throughout the country. The ribbon cutting will be held at noon on Saturday, June 5, at City Hall in Richmond.

The Rosie the Riveter resolution is H. Con. Res. 413.

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To see the remarks Rep. Miller made on the House floor today about the Rosie resolution, go to: http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/press/rel6204.html