Pennsylvania SR 125: A Resolution recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 916
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 125
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, PENNYCUICK, YAW, BAKER, BARTOLOTTA,
BROOKS, BROWN, COMITTA, COSTA, CULVER, DUSH, FONTANA,
GEBHARD, HAYWOOD, HUGHES, KANE, LAUGHLIN, MARTIN, MILLER,
PHILLIPS-HILL, ROBINSON, ROTHMAN, STEFANO, TARTAGLIONE, VOGEL
AND J. WARD, JUNE 9, 2025
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 9, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United
States Army.
WHEREAS, The United States Army, originally known as the
Continental Army, was founded on June 14, 1775, 250 years ago,
and today has the distinction of being our nation's oldest
fighting force; and
WHEREAS, On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress in
Philadelphia passed the following resolution:
Resolved, that six companies of expert riflemen [sic], be
immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and
two in Virginia; ... [and] that each company, as soon as
completed [sic], shall march and join the army near
Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the
command of the chief Officer in that army;
and
WHEREAS, The resolution formed a "continental" army,
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consisting of a united colonial fighting force representing the
13 colonies and additional troops from the three middle colonies
and creating America's first national institution; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania was a central focal point in our
nation's quest for freedom and formed in support of those
efforts the Pennsylvania Line in 1775, comprised of 13 regiments
and several independent companies; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Line included line troops, who
served without uniformity of service or term, rangers, who
served long term on the frontier and the Corps of Invalids, who
served after being disabled in battle; and
WHEREAS, On June 17, 1775, the Continental Army fought the
infamous Battle of Bunker Hill, an act of bravery that would
garner a spiritual victory for the outnumbered militia in the
agony of defeat, forever etching in our history the true grit of
American patriotism; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1775, the Continental Congress voted
unanimously to commission George Washington of Virginia to be
General and Commander in Chief, based upon his celebrated
military record and leadership by the following measure:
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your
patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these
presents, constitute and appoint you to be General and
Commander in chief, of the army of the United Colonies,
and of all the forces now raised, or to be raised, by
them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their
service, and join the said Army for the Defence [sic] of
American liberty, and for repelling every hostile
invasion thereof: And you are hereby vested with full
power and authority to act as you shall think for the
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good and welfare of the service;
and
WHEREAS, On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, our founders
absolved our nation from the British crown with the signing of
the Declaration of Independence, that in part stated:
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another, and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to
which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
* * *
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States
of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to
the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our
intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good
People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,
That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be
Free and Independent States;
and
WHEREAS, With the signing of the Declaration of Independence,
the Army of the United Colonies, that consisted of the
Continental Army and militia, became known as the Army of the
United States; and
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WHEREAS, On March 15, 1783, General George Washington averted
a military coup by foiling the Newburg Conspiracy, affirming the
significance of civilian control of the military in matters of
domestic conflict; and
WHEREAS, On June 3, 1784, the Continental Congress voted to
form America's first regiment of the United States Army for
national service and by the fall of 1784, the United States Army
consisted of one regiment, eight infantry and two artillery
companies; and
WHEREAS, On September 17, 17