FINDINGS.

SEC. 5401. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) The Congress passed legislation 50 years ago establishing the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve. (2) The Congress recognized both women’s right to participate in the total war effort and the military’s pressing need for women during World War II. (3) The Congress responded to women’s commitment and dedication by creating the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve as a sister service to the WACS, and the Women Marines. (4) The first director of the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, Captain Dorothy C. Stratton, named the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve SPAR, an acronym derived from the Latin and English translations of the Coast Guard motto, Semper Paratus Always Ready. (5) The first director recruited the best and brightest women from industry, educational institutions, and homes. (6) SPARS’ high level of education and experience greatly reduced the need for further training and SPARS only needed to be taught military structure and Coast Guard missions and traditions. (7) SPARS made history by being the first women trained at a service academy. 106 STAT. 5084 (8) SPARS performed admirably as executive officers, division heads, officers of the day, watch officers, and courts martial members. (9) SPARS served our Nation as boatswain mates, cox-swains, gunners mates, carpenters, and machinists mates. (10) SPARS served with distinction in highly specialized jobs during the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict. (11) A group of Coast Guard Women’s Reserve remained on active duty during the 1950’s and 1960’s, primarily at Coast Guard headquarters. (12) In 1950, women were integrated into the Organized Reserve Training Program. (13) In every phase of Coast Guard history, women have served our Nation with dedication, honor, and sacrifice.