RESOLUTION
WHEREAS,-The United States Senate is considering replacing the image of President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with the face of a distinguished woman. Doctor Mary Edwards Walker would be an outstanding choice for this honor; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 26, 1832 in Oswego, New York, Doctor Walker earned her medical degree in 1855 from New York's Syracuse Medical College. She was the only woman in her graduating class, and only the second woman in the United States to graduate from medical school; and
WHEREAS, After earning her medical degree, Doctor Walker married fellow student Albert Miller. Together they established a joint medical practice in Rome, New York. In 1860, Doctor Walker attended the Bowen Collegiate Institute in Hopkinton, Iowa. She was suspended from the college when she insisted on joining its all-male debating society; and
WHEREAS, At the outbreak of the Civil War, Doctor Walker volunteered to serve as a civilian surgeon in the Union Army. The Army refused her offer. Instead, she was required to volunteer as a nurse. She ministered nursing care to Union soldiers at the First Battle of Bull Run, where she served on the front lines, and also at the Battle of Fredericksburg; and
WHEREAS, In 1863, the Union Army, which found itself in desperate need of skilled surgeons on the battlefield, hired Doctor Walker as a civilian Acting Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Walker became the first-ever female surgeon to be employed by the U.S. Army. Later, she was appointed as Assistant Surgeon of the 52nd Ohio Infantry. She performed surgery on Union soldiers during the Battle of Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, On April 10, 1864, Doctor Walker was captured by Confederate forces when she courageously crossed enemy lines to treat wounded civilians. She was charged as a spy and placed in a prisoner of war camp. She was released from the camp on August 12, 1864 when medical prisoners were exchanged by both sides; and
WHEREAS, On November 11, 1865, President Andrew John...
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