Pennsylvania SR 20: A Resolution designating February 3, 2017, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

2017-2018 Regular Session SR 20 PN 0296 Bill Text (HTM) 

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PRINTER'S NO. 296 

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION 

No.

20 

Session of 

2017 

INTRODUCED BY VULAKOVICH, COSTA, BAKER, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, 

DINNIMAN, EICHELBERGER, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, HUGHES, 

McGARRIGLE, RESCHENTHALER, YUDICHAK AND KILLION, 

FEBRUARY 6, 2017 

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, FEBRUARY 6, 2017 

A RESOLUTION

Designating February 3, 2017, as "Four Chaplains Day" in 

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, On January 11, 1943, the United States Army 

Transport Dorchester sailed from New York to Greenland carrying 

more than 900 soldiers, merchant marines and civilian support 

forces; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after midnight on February 3, 1943, the 

Dorchester was struck by a torpedo fired without warning from a 

German U-boat patrolling the North Atlantic, instantly killing 

100 men and cutting off power and radio communication with 

escort ships; and

WHEREAS, In the 20 minutes before the ship sank, four Army 

chaplains, Lieutenants George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander D. 

Goode (Jewish), John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) and Clark V. 

Poling (Dutch Reformed), comforted the dying, encouraged the 

living, guided survivors to lifeboats and gave up their own life 

jackets to men who had none, sacrificing their own lives for 

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those of their spiritual charges; and

WHEREAS, Because the four chaplains were technically 

ineligible for the Medal of Honor, the Congress of the United 

States authorized a onetime posthumous Special Medal for Heroism 

which was presented to the four chaplains' next of kin on 

January 18, 1961, in addition to the Purple Hearts and 

Distinguished Service Crosses already awarded to them; and

WHEREAS, The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, located in 

Philadelphia, continues to honor their peerless legacy by 

recognizing citizens who perform exemplary service to their 

communities; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate February 3, 2017, as 

"Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the sacrifice and inspiring 

selflessness of Lieutenants Fox, Goode, Washington and Poling.

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