Pennsylvania SR 305: A Resolution recognizing the life and accomplishments of the Honorable William Penn, founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, upon the occasion of the United States Semiquincentennial.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1684
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 305
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, MAY 4, 2026
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 4, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the life and accomplishments of the Honorable
William Penn, founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
upon the occasion of the United States Semiquincentennial.
WHEREAS, Through the vision, solicitude and courage of
William Penn, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was brought into
being; and
WHEREAS, Although born into a distinguished Anglican family
and the son of Admiral Sir William Penn, Penn joined the
Religious Society of Friends or Quakers at 22 years of age; and
WHEREAS, In the ensuing years, the persecution of Quakers
became so fierce that Penn decided that it would be better to
try to found a new, free, Quaker settlement in North America;
and
WHEREAS, King Charles II granted William Penn a large tract
of land west and south of New Jersey on March 4, 1681; and
WHEREAS, Penn called the area Sylvania, Latin for woods,
which King Charles II changed to Pennsylvania in honor of
William Penn's father; and
WHEREAS, Penn invited peoples of diverse nationalities and
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creeds to join with him in a "Holy Experiment" where men might
worship God according to their own light; and
WHEREAS, The freedom of religion in Pennsylvania brought not
only English, Welsh, German and Dutch Quakers to the colony, but
also Huguenots (French Protestants), Mennonites, Amish and
Lutherans from Catholic German states; and
WHEREAS, William Penn's prayers were that Pennsylvania might
become "the seed of a Nation"; and
WHEREAS, His prayers were realized as the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution of the United States were
adopted in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In his declining years he feared he would be
forgotten by the Province upon which he lavished so much
affection; and
WHEREAS, The people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in
every generation, owe a debt of lasting gratitude to William
Penn; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the life and
accomplishments of the Honorable William Penn, founder of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, upon the occasion of the United
States Semiquincentennial; and be it further
RESOLVED, That, in this 250th year of independence, the
Senate record this expression of appreciation, affection and
admiration for the Founder of this Commonwealth, the Honorable
William Penn; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Pennsbury Society, which supports the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission in the administration of
Pennsbury Manor, a reconstruction of William Penn's home along
the Delaware River.
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