FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 11, 2020
Contact: Angela Lingg | 202-228-6519
Sen. Moran’s Bill to Honor Women of the “Six-Triple-Eight” Passes Senate
Urges House to Quickly Advance Bill to Recognize Their Service and Sacrifice
WASHINGTON – This week, the Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) bipartisan legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Women’s Army Corps who were assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – the “Six-Triple-Eight” – during World War II. The unit served at home and in Europe where they sorted and routed mail for millions of American service members and civilians. They were the only all-African-American, all-female battalion to serve overseas during the War. The monument in their honor is located at the Buffalo Solider Memorial Park on Fort Leavenworth.
“The women of the ‘Six-Triple-Eight’ served honorably at home and abroad,” said Sen. Moran. “Their contributions to the war effort cannot be understated – they worked tirelessly to clear a six month backlog of mail by processing over 65,000 pieces of mail per shift to make certain that troop morale remained high at a pivotal point in the war. Their efforts made certain that people like my mom and dad, two people that loved each other dearly, were able to communicate throughout the war while my dad was overseas, just like so many other Kansans and Americans who were separated from their loved ones. The brave women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion are deserving of this honor as the only all-African-American, all-female battalion to serve overseas in World War II.”
“This legislation recognizes the women of the ‘Six-Triple-Eight’ for their tremendous service and sacrifice, and I urge the House to quickly pass this bill to give these women the recognition that they have earned,” continued Sen. Moran.
“Passage of S.633 secures the Six-Triple-Eight’s legacy in our nation’s history,” Six-Triple-Eight Advocate and U.S. Army Colonel Edna Cummings said. “These brave women paved the way for future generations to serve our country in the military and throughout society.”
Items to Note:
- In October 2018, the Senate unanimously passed Sen. Moran’s resolution honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
- In November 2019, Sen. Moran participated in the dedication of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Monument at the Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park on Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
- In March 2019, Sen. Moran introduced S. 633 to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
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