PRINTER'S NO. 1920
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
411
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, ROZZI, KIRKLAND, DAVIS, BISHOP, MILLARD,
MULLERY, SCHLOSSBERG, COHEN, MACKENZIE, READSHAW, FREEMAN,
ROEBUCK, C. PARKER, MOUL, SIMS, SCHREIBER, MURT, BOYLE,
DERMODY, KAUFER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, HENNESSEY, BARRAR,
J. HARRIS, DRISCOLL, KINSEY, DAVIDSON, O'BRIEN, ACOSTA,
O'NEILL, BAKER, PASHINSKI, W. KELLER, IRVIN, BIZZARRO AND
MAHONEY, JUNE 25, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 25, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the nine people who lost their lives during the mass
shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17, 2015.
WHEREAS, The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church,
often referred to as "Mother Emanuel," was founded in 1816 and
is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in the southern
United States; and
WHEREAS, The 199-year-old church has survived numerous
attacks throughout the church's existence, including laws
barring black worship, a mob burning down the church's original
edifice and the killing of the founder and dozens of others for
organizing a slave revolt; and
WHEREAS, A shooting occurred at the church on the evening of
June 17, 2015, when an armed individual opened fire on a Bible
study group, ultimately killing nine members of the church's
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congregation; and
WHEREAS, The victims, who met regularly to read and discuss
passages from the Bible, openly welcomed the alleged shooter to
join them for Bible study when he entered the church; and
WHEREAS, Some of the victims were killed while bravely
protecting fellow churchgoers; and
WHEREAS, In the same spirit of courage and unity, "Mother
Emanuel" opened its doors for its regular Sunday service, just
four days after the tragic shooting; and
WHEREAS, The suspected gunman's reported attempt to start a
race war has failed miserably, as churchgoers of all colors and
creeds sat together inside "Mother Emanuel" and called for peace
and unity; and
WHEREAS, The nine victims were:
Reverend DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49;
Cynthia Hurd, 54;
Susie Jackson, 87;
Ethel Lance, 70;
Reverend Clementa Pinckney, 41;
Tywanza Sanders, 26;
Reverend Daniel L. Simmons, Sr., 74;
Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45;
Myra Thompson, 59;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the nine
people who lost their lives during the mass shooting at the
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South
Carolina, on June 17, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives extend its
deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims
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in their time of mourning.
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