JUNEAU -- Senator Drue Pearce (R-Anchorage) announced Wednesday that she has been named to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). The United States Coast Guard nominated her to the committee in recognition of her work on legislation that assists the Coast Guard in performing their duties in Alaska.

"My father is a decorated Marine. Growing up in a military family gave me an intimate knowledge of how dedicated our service men and women are to protecting our country," said Pearce. "I am honored to have this opportunity to serve them, and to work with my fellow committee members to improve working conditions for military personnel."

"As a member of DACOWITS, I will have an opportunity to stress the importance of Alaska to our nation's strategic security in a forum of influential Americans, " said Pearce.

DACOWITS was created in 1951 to help recruit women to fill personnel gaps in the armed services during the Korean War. The committee's mission later changed to keeping women in the military and helping advance their service careers. Recently the committee focus has included quality of life issues that affect both men and women in the military, such as healthcare and housing.

The committee's past recommendations include: removing the limit on the number of women allowed in the military; eliminating the ceiling on allowed promotions for women; helping open the military academies to women; and to making spousal benefits the same for men and women.

"This is a very hands-on committee," said Pearce. "I will be visiting Alaskan military installations frequently to learn about the issues the service personnel stationed there face. In addition, I will attend DACOWITS meetings twice a year."

DACOWITS is composed of civilian men and women appointed by the Secretary of Defense to provide recommendations on issues that affect military women. Thirty to forty members are appointed for rotating three-year terms. They are selected on the basis of their strong records in civic leadership and their outstanding reputations in business, education, the professions, or public service. DACOWITS members serve as individuals, not as official representatives of any group or organization with which they may be affiliated.