Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)
For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps
November 21, 2025 202-813-2793
PRESS RELEASE
CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES OFFICE CLOSURES FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
U.S. Virgin Islands— The offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett will be closed from Tuesday, November 25 until Friday, November 28, 2025, in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Washington, D.C. in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All offices will reopen on Monday, December 1, 2025.
“This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the people of the Virgin Islands—your resilience, your strength, and your unwavering spirit. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve you in Congress, to fight for our islands every single day, and to work alongside so many dedicated individuals who are committed to building a better future for our community.
“To our families gathering around tables, to those working through the holiday to keep our islands running, to our service members far from home, and to everyone who makes the Virgin Islands the remarkable place it is—thank you.
“As we give thanks for our blessings, let us also recommit ourselves to lifting each other up and moving our territory forward together. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.”
For non-urgent matters, please email the offices or call after Friday, November 28, 2025. For assistance, please call 202-225-1790 (Washington, D.C.), 340-778-5900 (St. Croix), or 340-774-4408 (St. Thomas). Messages left will be responded to when the offices reopen on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)
WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) today announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution designating November as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month to raise awareness about this rare neuro-inflammatory syndrome and ensure individuals living with this condition have access to early detection as well as safe and effective treatments.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is characterized by persistent, regional pain that is disproportionate to any known trauma or lesion, and is accompanied by sensory, motor, vasomotor, and/or trophic changes in the affected limb.
“For the millions of Americans living with a rare or ultra-rare disease, reliable information is scarce and treatment options are even more limited, leaving patients and their families with few paths forward and even fewer reasons for hope.”Rep. Tonko said.“That’s why I am incredibly proud of my work alongside advocates to have passed the HEART Act. This law amplifies the voices of those living with a rare disease as well as healthcare professional who care for them, while also accelerating the development and approval of new treatments. But my work to uplift the needs of those living with these rare conditions is far from over. Today, I’m honored to introduce a new resolution on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome alongside Representative Miller-Meeks and am deeply grateful to all those who have helped raise awareness on this often-overlooked condition. I pledge to continue working to ensure Congress meets the needs of those living with a rare disease.”
“As a physician, I know how devastating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome can be for patients who often spend years searching for answers,” Rep. Miller-Meeks said. “Early detection and access to effective treatment are critical, yet too many Americans face delays, misdiagnosis, or a lack of awareness. I’m proud to join Rep. Tonko in leading this bipartisan effort to shine a light on CRPS and ensure that patients, families, and providers have the tools and support they need.”
In a statement, the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) said, “Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDS.org) supports CRPS Awareness as a great step forward in giving comfort and hope to all those afflicted with CRPS. We are deeply grateful to Representative Tonko and Representative Miller-Meeks for their continued commitment to raising awareness. The nature, and even the existence of CRPS, is too little known. Increasing awareness of CRPS will motivate wider education about this painful disease among healthcare professionals as well as among the lay public. It will promote support for those who suffer with CRPS, and it will encourage research into the mechanisms of the disease of CRPS, which will lead to better treatments, and, ultimately, for a cure for CRPS.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) released the following statement after the Trump administration announced plans to allow new oil and gas drilling off the California Coast for the first time in decades.
“The Trump administration has made its priorities unmistakably clear: rolling back protections, dismantling safeguards, and putting the interests of wealthy donors and powerful corporations before the health, safety, and future of the American people. That includes dragging our nation back to a time when rivers caught fire, smog choked our cities, and California’s iconic coastline was wide open to offshore oil and gas drilling, and we know all too well what that means.
“Oil spills have caused some of the worst environmental catastrophes in our nation’s history. While the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill occurred just north of California’s 26th Congressional District, its devastation is part of our region’s collective memory. That disaster was so profound that it transformed how our government oversees environmental protection for the offshore energy industry. It helped spark the modern environmental movement and led to longstanding restrictions on offshore drilling along California’s coast.
“The threat posed by offshore drilling is not just environmental. Offshore oil and gas leasing poses serious health and safety risks to our communities. It endangers local economies that rely on clean water and healthy ecosystems, including tourism, fishing, outdoor recreation, and the jobs that come with them. It also threatens the backbone of Ventura County’s $2 billion agricultural economy. Our farmers and farmworkers depend on clean water, healthy soil, and stable ecosystems to grow the crops that feed our country.
“An offshore spill could contaminate irrigation sources, damage coastal farmland, and jeopardize thousands of jobs across California’s Central Coast, and these harms are not borne equally. Low-income communities, communities of color, and the workers who power our agricultural and coastal economies, like Oxnard, the largest city in my district and one of the larger coastal cities in California, suffer first and worst from pollution, toxic exposure, and environmental degradation.
“Environmental justice demands that we prevent new harms — not repeat the failures of the past. At a time when the U.S. is already the world’s leading producer of oil and gas, when major oil companies are raking in record profits, and when most federal acres leased to industry sit unused, there is no justification for putting California’s coast back on the chopping block — except to serve corporate interests.
“Let me be absolutely clear: my Democratic colleagues and I stand united. We are committed to confronting this administration’s assault on our environment and standing up to the corporate interests trying to write our nation’s energy policy.
“We will fight back, not quietly, not halfway, but with the full force of our values and our conviction, because our coast, our communities, and our climate are worth every ounce of that fight.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Brownley (CA-26) and Congressman George Whitesides (CA-27) announced new Congressional action urging the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to strengthen its methane reduction policies for landfills to protect public health and reduce climate-related costs for Californians. This action comes as CARB considers updates to its landfill methane regulations. The lawmakers emphasized that while the current draft is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to protect frontline communities or meet the scale of California’s climate commitments.
“As Members of Congress committed to addressing the climate crisis and protecting the health of Californians, we urge the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to strengthen its regulations on landfill methane emissions and prioritize the well-being of frontline communities,” wrote the lawmakers.
As organic waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane, a climate super pollutant with roughly 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, and more than 60 percent of the methane produced by landfilled food waste escapes into the atmosphere as fugitive emissions.
“California has long led on environmental policy, but its landfill methane rules are outdated and allow significant fugitive emissions. The issue is not a lack of solutions, but a lack of action. Proven, effective measures already exist, and California can again lead by deploying them,” the lawmakers added.
“We encourage CARB to pursue comprehensive methane reduction standards that employ current detection and mitigation technologies. Requiring advanced monitoring tools such as satellite and remote-sensing systems would significantly cut emissions, improve public health, and reduce climate-related costs borne by Californians in the form of higher medical bills, lost workdays, and rising insurance premiums.”
In addition to the warming impacts, landfill gas contains hazardous air pollutants, precursors to ozone and particulate matter, odors, and other dangerous gases that degrade air quality, health, and quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods, many of which are already disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 70 percent of California’s highest-emitting landfills are located in communities where more than half of the residents are people of color, compounding longstanding environmental inequities.
In addition to Congresswoman Brownley and Congressman Whitesides, the letter was signed by five other members of the California Congressional Delegation, including Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-7), and Maxine Waters (CA-43).
The letter is endorsed by Full Circle Future.
The full text of the letter is available here and below.
November 19, 2025
Chair Lauren Sanchez California Air Resources Board 1001 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Chair Sanchez and Members of the Board,
As Members of Congress committed to addressing the climate crisis and protecting the health of Californians, we urge the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to strengthen its regulations on landfill methane emissions and prioritize the well-being of frontline communities. While CARB’s proposed rules are a step in the right direction, they can go further, particularly in landfill data transparency, reducing temperature thresholds, and adoption of the best available technology.
By implementing the nation’s most comprehensive methane standards, CARB can protect more than 30 million Californians living near landfills from harmful air pollution, reduce costly health impacts, and help slow the pace of global warming.
Poorly controlled landfills pose an immediate threat to communities and fuel costly climate change. As organic waste decomposes, it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas driving extreme events such as wildfires, drought, and flooding. These disasters endanger lives, raise insurance costs, and destabilize local economies.
Landfill gas also contains hazardous pollutants and smog-forming compounds that worsen respiratory illness, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, especially among vulnerable populations and children. Alarmingly, 70% of California’s highest-emitting landfills are located in communities where over half of the residents are people of color, compounding longstanding environmental inequities.
California has long led on environmental policy, but its landfill methane rules are outdated and allow significant fugitive emissions. The issue is not a lack of solutions, but a lack of action. Proven, effective measures already exist, and California can again lead by deploying them.
We encourage CARB to pursue comprehensive methane reduction standards that employ current detection and mitigation technologies. Requiring advanced monitoring tools such as satellite and remote-sensing systems would significantly cut emissions, improve public health, and reduce climate-related costs borne by Californians in the form of higher medical bills, lost workdays, and rising insurance premiums.
Accelerated methane reduction is the fastest way to slow near-term warming and is essential to keeping the 1.5°C target within reach. Curbing landfill methane should be a cornerstone of California’s climate strategy, ensuring progress toward the Global Methane Pledge and California’s economy-wide emissions goals. To achieve these outcomes and protect Californians, we encourage CARB to consider strengthening its draft rule by:
Requiring the use of advanced technologies for efficient monitoring and emissions reduction;
Prioritizing community safety through fenceline monitoring and transparent data reporting; and
Going beyond federal standards with proactive fire prevention measures, including lower temperature thresholds and faster regulatory responses.
Stronger methane rules will reaffirm California’s role as a national model for integrating climate action and public health. As federal policymakers, we have been working to address methane emissions at the national level and secured significant investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to fund financial and technical assistance to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. We were disappointed that the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ rescinded unobligated balances from the methane reduction program and delayed implementation of the methane emissions fee. While President Trump and Congressional Republicans are taking us backwards, continued state leadership is critical to demonstrating the feasibility and impact of ambitious climate action, delivering swift and comprehensive protections for communities living near landfills.
We applaud CARB’s progress and urge the Board to adopt the strongest possible landfill methane regulations. Doing so will safeguard public health, lower healthcare and insurance costs, and protect our most vulnerable communities, all while cementing California’s leadership in responsible climate action.
Thank you for your leadership and your full and fair consideration of our comments, consistent with applicable statutes and regulations.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s alarming comments calling for political violence against six Democratic Members of Congress.
“Donald Trump has called for the prosecution and even the hanging of Members of Congress for standing up for our democracy and honoring the oath they swore to uphold in defense of our country. This is an outrageous and disgraceful assault on true public servants and on the very ideals that define our nation.
“Jason Crow, Chris DeLuzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Mark Kelly have worn the uniform. Maggie Goodlander and Elissa Slotkin have served in critical national security roles. Every one of them is a true American patriot. They have defended this country on the battlefield, in national security service, and in the halls of Congress. They continue to serve with duty and honor. To question their loyalty to this country is offensive, dishonest, and beneath even the lowest standard of leadership.
“Trump, who has never served a single day in uniform, continues to attack the institutions that safeguard our freedoms and to lash out with incendiary rhetoric against anyone who challenges him. His words are unhinged, reckless, and dangerous. He has already incited violence before, and he is once again putting the lives of Americans at real and immediate risk.
“This conduct is beneath the Office of the President of the United States. Leaders should defend American values, not betray them. Political violence has no place in America, and Trump should unequivocally condemn all acts of political violence rather than provoke them. And the refusal to stand up to this rhetoric enables it, normalizes it, and puts more Americans in danger.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)
Bacon, Beyer Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Fix Broken House Disciplinary Process
Washington – Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE) and Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced a bipartisan resolution that would raise the required vote threshold to punish Members of the House with censure, disapproval, or removal of committee assignments from a simple majority to 60 percent. This measure would reform the process by which the House disciplines its Members, in response to the sharp increase in introductions of punitive resolutions in the House.
“A U.S. House ruled by mob mentality cannot function. The institution and American people deserve better than what we’ve seen this week. The vast middle must stand up to the extremes and put commonsense safeguards in place,” saidRep. Bacon. “This resolution with Rep. Beyer, which requires a 60 percent threshold before the House can censure or penalize a Member, will force future censures to have bipartisan support, restore stability, protect the institution, and get the House back to working for the American people.”
“The process of censures and disciplinary measures in the House is broken, and all of us know it. These measures were historically reserved for rare and exceptional cases after a lengthy process that allowed time for investigations and due process, but that precedent has deteriorated. Our resolution would break the cycle of censures to help return focus in the House to solving problems for the American people,” saidRep. Beyer. “The proliferation of resolutions to punish our fellow Members with censure, disapproval, or the revocation of committee assignments has become unsustainable, to the point that they now impair our ability to work together to address serious issues. I fear this is inflicting lasting damage on this institution. Our legislation would implement desperately needed reform by creating a threshold high enough to require significant consensus between the parties that the process has been fair and that any wrongdoing rises to the level of the punishment. I thank my colleague, Congressman Bacon, for working with me on this solution and urge my colleagues to support this measure and raise the level of sanity in the People’s House.”
Article I of the Constitution establishes that “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour.” Historically measures punishing Members of the House were reserved for rare, unique cases following investigations; during the 20th Century the House voted to censure its members just six times, most after lengthy ethics investigations that established criminal activity or serious misconduct. At least five resolutions to punish Members of the House have been brought forward just this week, and dozens of Members have been targeted with such measures this year.
In addition to Congressmen Bacon and Beyer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Angie Craig (D-MN), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Michael Turner (R-OH), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Nikema Williams (D-GA), James Walkinshaw (D-VA), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Ami Bera (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Jared Huffman (D-CA).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Watch: Carter denounces the horrors of socialism
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today spoke in favor of Representative Maria Elvira Salazar’s (R-FL) resolution, Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism, which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives.
Read Rep. Carter’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, in favor of this resolution:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution denouncing the horrors of socialism, and there are horrors.
“Socialism has no place in our country.
“Unfortunately, the so-called ‘woke’ liberals in New York City don’t seem to understand that socialism is nothing more than mutually assured poverty and recently voted to bring these failed policies to their own once great city.
“While I am saddened that New Yorkers will be willing victims of Zohran Mamdani’s designed-to-fail socialist policies, I have filed legislation ensuring not one dime goes to fund his un-American agenda.
“The rest of the country should not be forced to subsidize one mayor’s destructive actions.
“Today’s resolution builds on those efforts, making it clear that the United States does not stand for, does not support, does not condone a system of government that makes people poorer, less free, and less safe.
“With this resolution, we reiterate our nation’s commitment to remaining a free, a prosperous society.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) today introduced a bipartisan resolution that would raise the required vote threshold to punish Members of the House with censure, disapproval, or removal of committee assignments from a simple majority to 60 percent. This measure would reform the process by which the House disciplines its Members, in response to the sharp increase in introductions of punitive resolutions in the House.
“The process of censures and disciplinary measures in the House is broken, and all of us know it. These measures were historically reserved for rare and exceptional cases after a lengthy process that allowed time for investigations and due process, but that precedent has deteriorated. Our resolution would break the cycle of censures to help return focus in the House to solving problems for the American people,” said Rep. Beyer. “The proliferation of resolutions to punish our fellow Members with censure, disapproval, or the revocation of committee assignments has become unsustainable, to the point that they now impair our ability to work together to address serious issues. I fear this is inflicting lasting damage on this institution. Our legislation would implement desperately needed reform by creating a threshold high enough to require significant consensus between the parties that the process has been fair and that any wrongdoing rises to the level of the punishment. I thank my colleague, Congressman Bacon, for working with me on this solution and urge my colleagues to support this measure and raise the level of sanity in the People’s House.”
“A U.S. House ruled by mob mentality cannot function. The institution and American people deserve better than what we’ve seen this week. The vast middle must stand up to the extremes and put commonsense safeguards in place,” said Rep. Bacon. “This resolution with Rep. Beyer, which requires a 60 percent threshold before the House can censure or penalize a Member, will force future censures to have bipartisan support, restore stability, protect the institution, and get the House back to working for the American people.”
Article I of the Constitution establishes that “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour.” Historically measures punishing Members of the House were reserved for rare, unique cases following investigations; during the 20th Century the House voted to censure its members just six times, most after lengthy ethics investigations that established criminal activity or serious misconduct. At least five resolutions to punish Members of the House have been brought forward just this week, and dozens of Members have been targeted with such measures this year.
In addition to Congressmen Beyer and Bacon, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Angie Craig (D-MN), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Michael Turner (R-OH), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Nikema Williams (D-GA), James Walkinshaw (D-VA), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Ami Bera (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Jared Huffman (D-CA).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)
This week, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded more than $50 million in grant funding to four Northwest Washington transit agencies to transition to low emission buses, improve service reliability and invest in paratransit services.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver cleaner and greener bus service to Northwest Washington,” said Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “This critical funding will allow local transit agencies to reduce carbon emissions and maintenance costs while ensuring riders continue to have reliable, accessible transportation options.”
The grant funding comes from FTA’s Low- or No-Emission Vehicle and Buses and Bus Facilities initiatives. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Bus Caucus, Rep. Larsen has long worked to increase federal funding for bus transit, including low-emission buses. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested $5.6 billion through Fiscal Year 2026 in the Low-No Program – more than six times greater than the previous five years of funding combined – and nearly $2 billion in Buses and Bus Facilities.
Grants for Local Transit Agencies
Northwest Washington transit agencies were awarded more than $50 million in grant funding:
What Transit Agencies are Saying
Northwest Washington transit agencies celebrated the grant funding and highlighted their importance to local communities and commuters.
“This is great news,” said Everett Transit Director Mike Schmieder. “The $10.07 million awarded to Everett Transit by the FTA will support the purchase of nine diesel-electric hybrid buses and ensure the continued delivery of safe, clean, and reliable transit service in our community. We appreciate our community partners, as well as U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers in helping secure this invaluable funding.”
“Skagit Transit is grateful to Congressman Larsen for his leadership in securing this critical federal investment. These new vehicles will replace aging buses, expand our capacity, and allow us to increase service to meet growing demand across Skagit County,” said Skagit Transit CEO Crystle Stidham. “This grant funding strengthens regional connections, improves reliability for riders, and fuels local job and economic growth.”
“We are grateful for Congressman Larsen’s support securing this critical Federal Transit Administration funding,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “Adding new hybrid electric buses to Community Transit’s fleet will help us keep our region’s people, economy and environmental sustainability moving in the right direction.”
“WTA is thankful for this opportunity to improve the safety and reliability of our service while also lowering our carbon emissions,” said Whatcom Transportation Authority Board Chairperson and Ferndale City Council Member Ali Hawkinson. “This funding represents an important win for our riders, for our entire community, and for our environment.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)
Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05) and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) introduced the bipartisan Rear Admiral Alene Duerk Ship Renaming Act of 2025, legislation to honor one of Northwest Ohio’s most distinguished trailblazers in military history, Rear Admiral Alene Bertha Duerk, the first woman in United States Navy history to achieve Flag Rank, achieving the rank of Rear Admiral.
Rear Admiral Duerk, born in Defiance, Ohio, and raised in Holgate, Ohio charted a path of extraordinary service and groundbreaking leadership over her 32-year naval career. After graduating from the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing in 1941, she entered the Navy Nurse Corps during World War II, caring for wounded service members at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and later treating newly-liberated American prisoners of war aboard the USS Benevolence in the Pacific.
Her service continued during the Korean War as a nursing instructor, and in 1970, she was appointed Director of the Navy Nurse Corps. In 1972, she shattered a historic barrier, becoming the first woman in Navy history to attain Flag Rank.
“Rear Admiral Alene Bertha Duerk, the first woman to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral in the US Navy, deserves to be honored for breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of men and women in uniform,” Latta said. “More than a hometown hero, she continues to inspire us through her service and sacrifice, and naming a vessel in her honor will ensure her legacy is remembered for years to come. I am proud to co-lead this bill with Congresswoman Kaptur and work together to honor Admiral Duerk’s groundbreaking legacy.”
“Rear Admiral Alene Duerk embodied the highest ideals of service, sacrifice, and patriotism,” Kaptur said.“Her courage when treating servicemembers, steadfast advocacy for improved medical care and fair treatment for those in uniform, and her pioneering leadership opened doors for generations of women who followed. It is long past time that the United States Navy honor her trailblazing legacy by naming a naval vessel in her memory.”
Throughout her career, Admiral Duerk championed better medical care for service members, advocated for equal pay, and pushed for expanded opportunities for women across the armed forces. Even in retirement, she continued her life of service, teaching English to Vietnamese immigrants and volunteering with organizations such as Meals on Wheels.
NOTE: In 2020, a bill was signed into law naming the Ohio State Route 108 in Henry County, “RDML Alene Duerk Memorial Highway.” In 2021, Congressman Latta attended a dedication for the designation.