Blumenthal, Murphy Resolution Honors 40th Anniversary of First Female Coast Guard Academy Class
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) honoring the 40th anniversary of the first class of women admitted to the Coast Guard Academy. Located in New London, CT, the Coast Guard Academy continues to implement progressive policies for advancement of women in the Armed Forces. Recently, the Academy welcomed the Class of 2020, which has a record-setting female enrollment at 38 percent – higher than any other military service academy.
“Forty years ago, the Coast Guard Academy became the first military service academy to admit female cadets,” Blumenthal said. “Today’s resolution commends the Academy for creating equal opportunity for women in the Armed Forces and recognizes the incredible contributions women have made since then as dedicated members of the Coast Guard.”
“I’m proud that New London’s Coast Guard Academy enrolls more women than any other service academy,” Murphy said. “Last year, we celebrated Connecticut’s Kristen Geist for being one of first two women to graduate Army Ranger School, and this year we’re proud that the Coast Guard Academy’s incoming class was a record-setting 38 percent female. We still have more work to do, but it’s exciting to live in a time where women have more opportunities than ever.”
The text of today’s resolution is available below:
Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the first class of women admitted to the Coast Guard Academy.
Whereas, on Augus
t 11, 1975, the Department of Transportation announced Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Siler’s decision to admit women to the Coast Guard Academy, making it the first military service academy open to women;
Whereas, on October 7, 1975, President Ford signed the Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976 (Public Law 94–106; 89 Stat. 531) which authorized the admission of women into the remaining three military service academies, two months after the Coast Guard Academy’s decision to do so;
Whereas, on February 3, 1976, the Coast Guard Academy was the first military service academy to issue appointments to women;
Whereas, on June 28, 1976, 38 women joined the Class of 1980 as freshmen and reported to the Coast Guard Academy for Swab Summer training;
Whereas, in 1980, the first fourteen women were honored at the Coast Guard Academy’s 99th graduation;
Whereas, since the Coast Guard Academy’s Class of 1980, more than 1,500 women have graduated from the Coast Guard Academy;
Whereas, in June 2016, the Coast Guard Academy’s Class of 2020 hit a record of 38 percent female enrollment, an enrollment rate higher than any other military service academy;
Whereas the Coast Guard has been at the forefront of expanding opportunities for women and setting a precedent for the advancement of women in the Armed Forces; and
Whereas women serving in the Coast Guard have played vital roles in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue missions, and environmental protection initiatives and women continue to carry out an array of civil and military responsibilities that ensure the maritime security of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) honors the Coast Guard Academy on the 40th Anniversary of the Academy enrolling female cadets and recognizes the Coast Guard Academy as the first military service academy to admit female cadets;
(2) recognizes the contribution women have made through their leadership, honor, and devotion to duty as members of the Coast Guard; and
(3) commends the Coast Guard Academy for breaking barriers and creating equal opportunities for women in the Armed Forces.
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