[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 130 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 130
Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 14, 2025
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Ms. Collins)
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.
Whereas, on November 26, 1832, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (referred to in this
preamble as ``Dr. Walker'') was born in the town of Oswego, New York;
Whereas, at the start of the Civil War, Dr. Walker decided to serve as an unpaid
volunteer surgeon at the United States Patent Office Hospital in
Washington, DC, as she was not allowed to serve in the Army as a medical
officer because she was a woman;
Whereas, in 1862, Dr. Walker moved to the Commonwealth of Virginia and started
treating wounded soldiers near the front lines at Fredericksburg and
Chattanooga, Tennessee;
Whereas, during her work as a surgeon in the war, Dr. Walker often crossed
battle lines to care for soldiers and civilians;
Whereas, in September 1864, Dr. Walker was contracted as the assistant surgeon
of the Ohio 52nd Infantry, becoming the first female surgeon in the
Army;
Whereas Dr. Walker served at the Louisville Women's Prison Hospital and at an
orphan asylum in Clarksville, Tennessee;
Whereas, after the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865, Dr. Walker was awarded
the Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service by President Andrew Johnson;
and
Whereas Dr. Walker continued to advocate for women's rights, including promoting
dress reform and pushing for women's suffrage, believing strongly in the
power of self-determination and equality between men and women: Now,
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) honors the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker,
recognizing her as a trailblazer in medicine, a champion for
women's rights, and a true United States hero who exemplified
the ideals of service, courage, and resilience; and
(2) commits to ensuring the story of Dr. Mary Edwards
Walker is remembered and celebrated for generations to come,
inspiring others to follow in her footsteps in pursuit of
justice and equality.
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