Pennsylvania SR 306: A Resolution celebrating the incredible life and achievements of Benjamin Franklin upon the occasion of the United States Semiquincentennial.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1685
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 306
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY COSTA, MAY 4, 2026
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 4, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating the incredible life and achievements of Benjamin
Franklin upon the occasion of the United States
Semiquincentennial.
WHEREAS, The late Benjamin Franklin, of Philadelphia, is
widely regarded throughout the world as "the most famous
American"; and
WHEREAS, Born January 17, 1706, in Massachusetts Bay Colony,
Benjamin Franklin was an American writer, scientist, inventor,
statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political
philosopher; and
WHEREAS, Franklin became a successful newspaper editor and
printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies, and
began publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette at 23 years of age;
and
WHEREAS, He also created Poor Richard's Almanack, which he
wrote under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders"; and
WHEREAS, After 1767, he was associated with the Pennsylvania
Chronicle, a newspaper known for its revolutionary sentiments
and criticisms of the policies of the British Parliament and the
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Crown; and
WHEREAS, Franklin pioneered and was the first president of
the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which opened in 1751
and later became the University of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, He organized and was the first secretary of the
American Philosophical Society and was elected its president in
1769; and
WHEREAS, He was appointed deputy postmaster-general for the
British colonies in 1753, which enabled him to set up the first
national communications network; and
WHEREAS, As a scientist, Franklin's studies of electricity
made him a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the
history of physics; and
WHEREAS, He also charted and named the Gulf Stream current;
and
WHEREAS, His numerous, important inventions include the
lightning rod, bifocals, glass harmonica and the Franklin stove;
and
WHEREAS, He founded many civic organizations, including the
Library Company, the University of Pennsylvania and
Philadelphia's first fire department; and
WHEREAS, Franklin was the only person to sign the Declaration
of Independence, the Treaty of Paris and the Constitution; and
WHEREAS, An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired as
the first United States ambassador to France and was a major
figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations;
and
WHEREAS, From 1785 to 1788, he served as President of
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, For most of his public life he was associated with
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this General Assembly, as Clerk, Assemblyman, Speaker and its
representative in England; and
WHEREAS, Franklin was appointed by this General Assembly to
the Second Continental Congress and named to a committee
instructed to draft a Declaration of Independence; and
WHEREAS, He was a signatory to the said Declaration of
Independence in 1776 when he was 70 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Eleven years later, after representing the United
States in France and serving as President of Pennsylvania, he
was chosen as a member of the Pennsylvania delegation to the
Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the proposed
Constitution of the United States in his 81st year; and
WHEREAS, A foundation of American ethos, Franklin has been
called "the most accomplished American of his age and the most
influential in inventing the type of society America would
become"; and
WHEREAS, He made numerous contributions in many fields which
benefited his fellowmen and has endeared himself to posterity
for his warmth, wit and common sense; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate celebrate the incredible life and
achievements of Benjamin Franklin upon the occasion of the
United States Semiquincentennial; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate record its pride in its most
illustrious member, and commend Benjamin Franklin to all
Pennsylvanians as an example that at every stage of one's life a
person can do something to make his State and nation better for
the generations yet to come; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
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