Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-02-10

HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE "GRETHE" CAMMERMEYER

TaxesDefenseVeteransLGBTQ+

Context

On 2026-02-10, Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE "GRETHE" CAMMERMEYER" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered defense, veterans affairs.

Full Text

HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE "GRETHE" CAMMERMEYER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E124-E125] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE ``GRETHE'' CAMMERMEYER ______ HON. RICK LARSEN of washington in the house of representatives Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Colonel Margarethe ``Grethe'' Cammermeyer's contributions to LGBTQ rights and neuroscience nursing in the United States. Born in Oslo, Norway, Grethe became a citizen in 1960 and joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1961 when she was just 19 years old. After finishing college, she served on active duty as an Army nurse in Germany, the U.S. and Vietnam. She later earned a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Washington's School of Nursing. She served concurrent careers in VA medical centers, the Army Reserves and the National Guard. In 1988, while answering a question during a routine security clearance interview, Grethe disclosed that she was a lesbian. The National Guard then began military discharge proceedings against her, but Grethe challenged this action in federal court. In June 1994, a [[Page E125]] federal court ruled that her discharge and the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military were unconstitutional, paving the way for future LGBTQ service members in our armed services. After returning to the National Guard, she served courageously as one of the few openly gay or lesbian people in the U.S. military until her retirement in 1997. Grethe is a decorated member of the U.S. military and a nationally recognized practitioner of neuroscience nursing. With a focus on neuroscience, she has been an active researcher and author or contributor to dozens of publications. She has been recognized as the Veterans Administration Nurse of the Year in 1985, earned the Bronze Star for Service in Vietnam, and was Chief Nurse of the Washington National Guard. Throughout her career, she challenged policies that discriminated against married women and married women who became pregnant. In 2010, after 17 years of advocating for the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'', Colonel Cammermeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance during President Obama's ceremony repealing the policy. Gay men and women are now allowed to serve openly in the military because of her determination and persistence. In 2012, after same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington State, Grethe and her partner Diane Divelbess became the first same-sex couple to receive a license in Island County. Grethe is not just celebrated among her Island County neighbors but recognized nationwide for her contributions to LGBTQ rights. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Grethe for her outstanding courage, dedication to expanding the field of neuroscience nursing and enduring legacy of service to her community. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for her service. ____________________

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HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE "GRETHE" CAMMERMEYER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E124-E125] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE ``GRETHE'' CAMMERMEYER ______ HON. RICK LARSEN of washington in the house of representatives Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Colonel Margarethe ``Grethe'' Cammermeyer's contributions to LGBTQ rights and neuroscience nursing in the United States. Born in Oslo, Norway, Grethe became a citizen in 1960 and joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1961 when she was just 19 years old. After finishing college, she served on active duty as an Army nurse in Germany, the U.S. and Vietnam. She later earned a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Washington's School of Nursing. She served concurrent careers in VA medical centers, the Army Reserves and the National Guard. In 1988, while answering a question during a routine security clearance interview, Grethe disclosed that she was a lesbian. The National Guard then began military discharge proceedings against her, but Grethe challenged this action in federal court. In June 1994, a [[Page E125]] federal court ruled that her discharge and the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military were unconstitutional, paving the way for future LGBTQ service members in our armed services. After returning to the National Guard, she served courageously as one of the few openly gay or lesbian people in the U.S. military until her retirement in 1997. Grethe is a decorated member of the U.S. military and a nationally recognized practitioner of neuroscience nursing. With a focus on neuroscience, she has been an active researcher and author or contributor to dozens of publications. She has been recognized as the Veterans Administration Nurse of the Year in 1985, earned the Bronze Star for Service in Vietnam, and was Chief Nurse of the Washington National Guard. Throughout her career, she challenged policies that discriminated against married women and married women who became pregnant. In 2010, after 17 years of advocating for the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'', Colonel Cammermeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance during President Obama's ceremony repealing the policy. Gay men and women are now allowed to serve openly in the military because of her determination and persistence. In 2012, after same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington State, Grethe and her partner Diane Divelbess became the first same-sex couple to receive a license in Island County. Grethe is not just celebrated among her Island County neighbors but recognized nationwide for her contributions to LGBTQ rights. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Grethe for her outstanding courage, dedication to expanding the field of neuroscience nursing and enduring legacy of service to her community. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for her service. ____________________