PRINTER'S NO. 2045
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
423
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY RADER, EMRICK, BISHOP, MAJOR, MURT, HAHN, PICKETT,
D. COSTA, CALTAGIRONE, MILLARD, COHEN, FARINA, D. PARKER,
HARHART, KINSEY, WARD, GROVE, BENNINGHOFF, DRISCOLL, BARRAR,
DAVIS, READSHAW, MACKENZIE, VEREB, HELM, R. BROWN, ROZZI,
KAUFFMAN, MALONEY, A. HARRIS, SONNEY, DUSH, KIRKLAND,
McNEILL, EVERETT, DiGIROLAMO, HARHAI, PAYNE, PETRI, THOMAS,
WHITE, PHILLIPS-HILL, SACCONE, HICKERNELL, SAYLOR, NEUMAN,
B. MILLER, KLUNK, KORTZ, TALLMAN, STAATS, MARSICO, JOZWIAK,
HENNESSEY, HEFFLEY, DONATUCCI AND MILNE, JULY 20, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JULY 20, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Congratulating Pocono Raceway for its commitment to our veterans
by placing a Chair of Honor within the raceway to recognize
our American POW/MIAs.
WHEREAS, Our United States Armed Forces personnel make
sacrifices for their families and friends and put their lives on
the line in defense of all we hold dear in this great country;
and
WHEREAS, We support the valiant efforts of our men and women
who serve in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast
Guard and hope for their safe return at all times. However, some
of these dedicated men and women do not come home; and
WHEREAS, Their sacrifices may not be known, but their bravery
will never be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, The Pocono Raceway is one of only two racetracks to
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host two NASCAR races and one INDYCAR race; and
WHEREAS, Pocono Raceway was founded in the early 1960s by Dr.
Joseph Mattioli, who entered service in the United States Navy
and then served as a United States Marine during World War II in
the South Pacific; and
WHEREAS, One-third of the population of the United States
lives within 300 miles of the racetrack, making Pocono Raceway a
unique platform to showcase military performances and
demonstrations during its major events. In addition to providing
complimentary display space to all branches of the military,
Pocono Raceway proudly incorporates military assets into a
prerace "Military Honors and Recognition Ceremony" including
color guards, military bands and drill teams; and
WHEREAS, Pocono Raceway distributes tickets to more than 30
military bases and units, as well as squadron and battalion
headquarters and USO district offices. Additionally, Pocono
Raceway has a partnership with ID.me, an award-winning identity
verification service, to power a preferred pricing benefit to
members of the military and their families; and
WHEREAS, Pocono Raceway works with all branches of the
military to support recruiting, retention and morale, beginning
with a Deferred Enlistment Program swearing-in ceremony at each
of its races for all branches of the military and by providing
various military booster clubs with fundraising opportunities;
and
WHEREAS, While we look forward to the return of our troops
currently serving overseas and hope for their safety, we must
also remember and pay tribute to the more than 91,000 servicemen
and servicewomen who are unaccounted for from the wars and armed
conflicts in which the United States has been involved since
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World War I; and
WHEREAS, Members of the military, their families, our
communities and this nation should strive to find a renewed
commitment to the ideals for which veterans fought and the
strength, unity and resolve to uphold their mission today and
throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, commemorative chairs honoring
American POW/MIAs have been placed in prominent locations and
public venues across the United States, and Pocono Raceway is
helping to continue that effort and helping to set the stage for
many more to follow in their path of honoring our warriors; and
WHEREAS, On July 31, 2015, a POW/MIA Chair of Honor will be
unveiled at the Pocono Raceway; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate
Pocono Raceway for its commitment to our veterans by placing a
Chair of Honor within the raceway to recognize our American
POW/MIAs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate
Pocono Raceway, the owners of the raceway and NASCAR fans
everywhere for showing the same commitment and dedication to our
men and women serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force
and Coast Guard as Dr. Mattioli did for the country he loved;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
public and private organizations and venues to join the House of
Representatives, Pocono Raceway and all others who have pledged
that American POW/MIAs will never be forgotten by placing a
POW/MIA Chair of Honor at various public venue facilities across
this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
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Brandon Igdalsky, President and CEO, Pocono Raceway, PO Box 500,
Long Pond, PA 18334.
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