E1126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 21, 2002 Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act re- cation and go on to obtain a Master’s degree. I wish to especially extend my appreciation quires federal agencies’ electronic and infor- It is because of historic Title IX, which pro- to Colonel Aaron Bank, the founder and first mation technology (IT) to be accessible to in- hibits gender discrimination in federally funded commander of the Special Forces. As an op- dividuals with disabilities. It specifically re- schools, that women have been able to over- erative in the Office of Strategic Services quires that when federal agencies develop, come these barriers. (OSS) during World War II, he led his team on procure, maintain, or use electronic and infor- While much has been accomplished since missions to hunt down high-raking Nazi lead- mation technology, they ensure that it is ac- the enactment of this legislation, much still re- ers, search for missing allied prisoners in cessible, unless it would pose an undue bur- mains to be done. We need to be vigilant in Indochina and lead a counter-intelligence cell den to do so. our enforcement of Title IX and provide the in Germany. It was clear there was a place for But the regulations do not apply to the legis- funding needed to help our schools fully com- such operations using highly trained uncon- lative and judicial branches, state and local ply with the law. We need to fight for the pas- ventional forces. So, when the OSS was dis- governments, or the private sector. If we truly sage of legislation that will ensure equality for banded after World War II, Colonel Bank are a government of, for and by the people, women once they enter the workforce. Al- began working to convince the U.S. Army to then every American must have access to it. though today the majority of students are adopt a permanent unconventional warfare Today, the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and women, as is the majority of the U.S. popu- force. After tireless efforts, the U.S. Army the Congressional Internet Caucus teamed up lation, women face continued inequalities in launched its first Special Forces unit, the 10th with the American Foundation for the Blind, the workplace. In my home state of Michigan Special Forces Group (Airborne) with Colonel HIR, Microsoft, Adobe and Freedom Scientific where pay inequity is at its worst, women Bank, appropriately, as its first commander. to demonstrate how easy it is to comply with make just 67 cents for every dollar men earn. Since then, the U.S. Army Special Forces Section 508 in making websites accessible. This is inexcusable, and it has to stop. We has spawned special operations units from the Today’s ‘‘Congressional Web Accessibility should view Title IX not as a completed effort, other military branches such as the Navy Day’’ educated Members’ staff and the Amer- but as a first step in ensuring equality for SEALS, Air Force Combat Controllers, and the ican public on Section 508 and the importance women. Marines’ Force Recon. We have Colonel Bank of making government accessible. Through With the passage of Title IX, our Nation de- to thank for emphasizing the strategic and tac- one-on-one sessions with HIR web experts clared that it is in our best interest to allow all tical importance of such units, which he mod- and hands-on, interactive learning, this event men and women an equal chance to excel in eled in designing, implementing and com- was an important first step toward making any field or activity to which they commit manding the Army’s first Special Forces unit. government accessible. themselves. It was pledged that all individuals In passing H. Con. Res. 364, Congress not Web accessibility is not just for the 54 mil- should be given the same opportunities to re- only recognizes the 50th anniversary of the lion individuals with disabilities or for the mil- alize their potential throughout their education Special Forces, but also acknowledges the in- lions of elderly Americans with diminished vi- and professional lives. We need to work hard- valuable contribution of a great American and sion, hearing and other senses, but for any er to ensure that no American suffers discrimi- outstanding soldier, Colonel Aaron Bank. At one of us who might one day need this tech- nation on the basis of gender. We cannot rest age ninety-nine, he is a living legend and I nology. It also provides more options for a typ- until all women, all Americans, receive the op- consider it an honor and privilege to partici- ical user who may prefer text over fancy portunities they deserve. In my 26 years in pate in recognizing both his contribution and graphics. With 68 million American adults Congress, I have committed myself to working the legacy of his vision and foresight, the using government agency websites, this typ- toward the ideals of justice and equality for United States Special Forces. ical user is evolving into a powerful ‘‘e-citizen.’’ women, and I will continue to make this effort My most sincere gratitude goes out to Colo- I hope that today’s event marks the begin- among my top priorities. nel Bank and his fellow Green Berets as they ning of some exciting, new changes in Con- f celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. gress. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED Army Special Forces. The time has come for us to make our STATES ARMY SPECIAL FORCES f websites accessible to our growing e-citizenry. The progress has begun in the federal agen- SPEECH OF CONGRATULATIONS TO MISSOURI cies, and now Congress needs to follow suit. OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ON 70TH HON. GARY G. MILLER ANNIVERSARY f OF CALIFORNIA CELEBRATING THE 30TH IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. SAM GRAVES ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX Tuesday, June 18, 2002 OF MISSOURI Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. SPEECH OF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Speaker, today we celebrate the 50th anniver- Friday, June 21, 2002 HON. DAVID E. BONIOR sary of the United States Army Special Forces OF MICHIGAN and honor a great American hero and ‘‘Father Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the Green Berets,’’ Colonel Aaron Bank. recognize the outstanding work of The Mis- Perhaps more than ever, our generation ap- souri Officers Association, which represents Wednesday, June 19, 2002 preciates the unique and vital mission of the over 900 Federal, State, and local police offi- Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to U.S. Special Forces. They are the elite, un- cers. recognize the 30th anniversary of the enact- conventional warfare arm of the United States I would like to honor this organization in ment of Title IX. Prior to the enactment of Title military and our Nation is at a place in history this, their 70th year, for their charitable work IX, educational and career opportunities were where our greatest threat is from the unpre- and dedication to scholarship and community. extremely limited for women. In 1971, less dictable foes they are trained to fight. The primary focus of the officer’s association than 300,000 girls participated in high school In a time when many of us have fears and is to provide low cost training to police agen- sports compared to 3.6 million male athletes doubts about the vulnerability of our Nation to cies across the State of Missouri. Another very the same year. Today, this number has risen future attacks, we can continue to have hope notable deed is the provision of an immediate to over 2.4 million female athletes. Women in the shield provided to us by the Special $1000 death benefit to families of fallen offi- have continued to demonstrate that, when Forces. In valor, courage, and fidelity, the cers. given the opportunity, they, too, are fully quali- Special Forces are the world’s finest fighting Beyond their efforts in the law enforcement fied to be successful participants in athletics force and I am thankful that they are in the community, the association organizes two and education. business of protecting the United States of scholarship programs. The first is a yearly col- In the past 30 years, women have gained America and its citizens. lege scholarship that awards $1000 to five numerous other advantages from the passage Due to the covert nature of many of their Missouri students and the second is an essay of this historic legislation. Scholarships pro- missions, both the measure of their sacrifice contest for eighth grade students, which vided to women in increased numbers since and their contribution to freedom here and awards six students cash awards totaling passage of Title IX have opened doors that abroad may never be known. However, today, $1200. were otherwise closed to women. In 1971, I hope all Americans will join me in celebrating The philanthropic work of this organization only 18% of women finished four years of col- their 50th anniversary and thanking them for also extends to the community through a vari- lege; today more female students than male giving more to this country than could ever be ety of donations to groups such as Concern of successfully complete a four-year college edu- repaid and perhaps, could ever be measured. Police Survivors, Ronald McDonald House,
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