Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Ms. LUMMIS. Madam President, it is my real honor today to join Senator Barrasso of Wyoming and Senator Carper of Delaware in support of legislation to rename the Shoshoni, WY, Post Office the Dessie A. Bebout Post Office.

Wyoming is full of exceptional women, and Dessie was surely one of them. In the years following the Pearl Harbor attack, Dessie was one of the first women to enlist in the WAVES, the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services.

Dessie traveled by train across the country to New York City for basic training. She was later stationed in Seattle for 2\1/2\ years, where she was responsible for recording the arrival and departure of sailors to and from the Pacific Fleet.

Dessie then married Herbert ``Hugh'' Bebout, also a Wyoming native, and, in 1945, they moved back to Wyoming to start their life together. They raised five children, and today their family has grown to 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

In 1962, Dessie became the postmaster of the Shoshoni post office. Her exemplary service was recognized when she was awarded the Order of the Vest, which is the highest honor given to postmasters.

Dessie Bebout passed away in May of this year at the age of 102 years. She lived up to what it means to be part of the Greatest Generation. It is very fitting that we rename the Shoshoni Post Office after Dessie Bebout. It serves as a small token of our appreciation for her service to Wyoming and our country.

Now I would like to yield the floor to the senior Senator from Wyoming, John Barrasso, whose inspired idea to name the post office in Shoshoni after Dessie Bebout brings us here today.

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