[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECOND LT. ELLEN AINSWORTH MEMORIAL POST OFFICE
Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4046) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 220 East Oak Street, Glenwood City, Wisconsin, as
the Second Lt. Ellen Ainsworth Memorial Post Office.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4046
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SECOND LT. ELLEN AINSWORTH MEMORIAL POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 220 East Oak Street, Glenwood City,
Wisconsin, shall be known and designated as the ``Second Lt.
Ellen Ainsworth Memorial Post Office''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Second Lt. Ellen Ainsworth Memorial Post
Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Russell) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brendan
F. Boyle) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Duffy), my friend and colleague.
Mr. DUFFY. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding.
Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Second Lieutenant Ellen
Ainsworth of the Seventh District of Wisconsin for her bravery,
sacrifice, and service to her country during World War II.
Second Lieutenant Ainsworth grew up in the Wisconsin farming
community of Glenwood City, where she is still recognized for her
service and her sacrifice.
Ellen was well known around town as a caring young woman who loved to
sing. She had a beautiful voice. Folks in town saw her as a leader and
a go-getter. When duty called, she selflessly answered that call of
duty.
In 1942, she entered the United States Army Nurse Corps after
graduating from nursing school at the Minneapolis Eitel Hospital. She
was first deployed to Tunisia and then, shortly after, to Italy, where
she was assigned to the 56th Evacuation Hospital. Although the risk was
high, it did not stop Lieutenant Ainsworth from honorably serving her
country.
On February 10, 1944, Lieutenant Ainsworth's hospital tent came under
heavy artillery attack in an area many described as hell's half acre.
Under heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Ainsworth disregarded her own well-
being, evacuating 42 patients to safety, only stopping when she was hit
by shrapnel from an exploding ordnance.
Lieutenant Ainsworth succumbed to her wounds 6 days later. At just 24
years old, she was the only Wisconsin servicewoman to make the ultimate
sacrifice during World War II. Ainsworth was buried in the Sicily-Rome
American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy.
Lieutenant Ainsworth was posthumously awarded a Silver Star, a Purple
Heart, and a Red Cross Bronze Medal. A portrait of her currently hangs
in the Pentagon as a testament to her bravery in the face of chaos and
destruction.
The courageous actions of Lieutenant Ainsworth are witnessed today by
the children of the soldiers who she saved, who would not be here if
not for her heroism. She personified the honor and dignity through
sacrifice that so many of her fellow Wisconsinites displayed during
World War II.
Her death was a tragedy for the small town of Glenwood City. Over 72
years later, Lieutenant Ainsworth still has a large presence in that
community. A health clinic, a veterans home as well as the American
Legion post in her hometown have all been named in her honor.
Madam Speaker, it is my honor to sponsor H.R. 4046, a bill that names
the Glenwood City Post Office after Lieutenant Ellen Ainsworth. It will
stand as a reminder of the bravery of one American from Wisconsin's
Seventh Congressional District.
Please join me to recognize this most deserving hero and Wisconsinite
as we name the post office at 220 East Oak Street, Glenwood City,
Wisconsin, the Second Lt. Ellen Ainsworth Memorial Post Office.
{time} 1400
General Leave
Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I also support this important piece of
legislation introduced by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Duffy), my
colleague and friend. Rare is the individual, such as Second Lieutenant
Ellen Ainsworth, who served in the Army Nurse Corps.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself
such time as I may consume, but I will be brief.
One of the nice things about doing this is getting to hear the
stories of ordinary Americans who make tremendous sacrifices. And
clearly, Second Lieutenant Ainsworth was an extraordinary American who
made such a sacrifice.
I am proud to support this resolution, and I urge its adoption.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RUSSELL. Madam Speaker, I urge the adoption of this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Russell) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4046.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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