Rear Admiral Alene Duerk Ship Renaming Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6198
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-10T09:05:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Rear Admiral Alene Duerk Ship Renaming Act of 2025," aims to honor Rear Admiral Alene Duerk, the first woman to achieve flag officer rank in the U.S. Navy, by expressing Congress's recommendation that the Secretary of the Navy name a naval vessel after her. It highlights her lifelong service, particularly during World War II, to recognize her contributions to the military and nursing.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress Statement: Congress recommends that the Secretary of the Navy designate a new or existing U.S. Navy vessel as the "U.S.S. Rear Admiral Alene Duerk" to commemorate her valor and dedication.
- Description of Acts of Valor: The bill details Duerk's military career, including:
- Her commissioning as an ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps in 1943 after training at Toledo Hospital School of Nursing.
- Service during World War II as a ward nurse at naval medical centers in Portsmouth, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland, and aboard the USS Benevolence (a hospital ship) in the Pacific Theater, where she treated wounded service members from 1945 until the war's end.
- Post-war advancements in rank and roles across various locations, including Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, the Philippines, Japan, California, and Washington, D.C.
- Her historic promotion to Rear Admiral on April 16, 1972, as the first female flag officer.
- Awards received: Naval Reserve Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia Clasp), and National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no binding changes to existing law. It is a non-binding expression of Congress's view (known as a "sense of Congress" resolution), which does not require the Navy to act but serves as a formal recommendation. Naval vessel naming traditionally falls under the Secretary of the Navy's discretion, guided by policies honoring notable individuals.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Navy may consider the recommendation in its vessel-naming process, potentially influencing future honors for military pioneers, especially women. It could encourage similar recognitions without mandating budget or operational changes.
- On Citizens: Symbolic recognition boosts morale among veterans, nurses, and women in the military, highlighting gender milestones and inspiring public appreciation for historical service.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it underscores U.S. military heritage and commitment to honoring wartime contributions, which could subtly enhance the Navy's global image.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Navy and Department of Defense: Directly involved in vessel naming decisions.
- Veterans and Military Families: Benefits from honoring a trailblazing figure, particularly those connected to WWII or the Nurse Corps.
- Women's Advocacy Groups: Gains visibility for female achievements in the armed forces.
- Congressional Representatives: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Kaptur and Rep. Latta from Ohio) and the House Armed Services Committee, which reviews the bill.
- Alene Duerk's Legacy: Her family, hometown of Defiance, Ohio, and nursing community receive indirect tribute.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a sense of Congress, it has no enforceable power, avoiding any constitutional issues with executive branch authority over the military (Article II). It aligns with traditions of congressional input on symbolic matters without overriding Navy autonomy.
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's role in expressing national values (Article I), promoting unity on military honors without infringing on separation of powers.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for recognizing women's roles in the military, potentially advancing discussions on gender equality in defense policy. It may set a precedent for naming vessels after non-combat figures like nurses, emphasizing diverse service contributions amid ongoing efforts to diversify military honors.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4853)
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rear Admiral Alene Duerk Ship Renaming Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (3 pages)