PRINTER'S NO. 1043
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
148
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCAVELLO, VULAKOVICH, BREWSTER, RAFFERTY, FONTANA,
MENSCH, COSTA, WHITE AND AUMENT, JUNE 12, 2015
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
JUNE 12, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 563, which
directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the
Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits
to certain individuals who served in the United States
merchant marine during World War II.
WHEREAS, During World War II, more than 200,000 Americans
served in the United States merchant marine; and
WHEREAS, The United States merchant marine aided our nation's
military efforts in both Europe and the Pacific; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of merchant mariners faced enemy attack
and died at sea while hundreds more were captured and held as
prisoners of war; and
WHEREAS, Despite having the highest casualty rate of any
United States service branch during World War II, members of the
United States merchant marine were not eligible to receive
veteran's benefits; and
WHEREAS, Many of these brave veterans are now well into their
90s, and fewer than 5,000 of them are alive; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting to honor the merchant mariners who
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
served during World War II for their sacrifice, dedication and
bravery; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 563, which
directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the
Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to
certain individuals who served in the United States merchant
marine during World War II.
20150SR0148PN1043 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8