PRINTER'S NO. 3004
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
686
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, READSHAW, NEILSON, KULIK, McGINNIS,
BAKER, RYAN, SCHLOSSBERG, DiGIROLAMO, SOLOMON, BARRAR,
DRISCOLL, PASHINSKI, SAYLOR, SONNEY, WARD, LONGIETTI, MURT,
KINSEY, YOUNGBLOOD, SCHWEYER, KAVULICH, WATSON, B. MILLER,
KORTZ, FITZGERALD, ROZZI, THOMAS, BIZZARRO, BRADFORD, GOODMAN
AND GILLEN, FEBRUARY 8, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 8, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 3, 2018, as "Four Chaplains Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On February 3, 1943, a United States Army transport
ship, the Dorchester, was transporting more than 900 troops
across the North Atlantic to an American base in Greenland as
part of a convoy; and
WHEREAS, Four chaplains, the Reverend George Fox, a Methodist
and native of Lewistown, Rabbi Alexander Goode, who served a
congregation in York, the Reverend Clark Poling, part of the
Reformed Church in America, and Father John Washington, a Roman
Catholic priest, were aboard the ship; and
WHEREAS, At approximately 12:55 a.m., a German U-boat's
torpedo struck the Dorchester, and the explosion instantly
knocked out power and radio communication with the convoy's
escort ships; and
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WHEREAS, Within 20 minutes, the Dorchester sank, leading to
more than 670 deaths; and
WHEREAS, In the confusion, the four chaplains calmed, aided
and guided many of their fellow service members to safety; and
WHEREAS, When life vests ran out, each chaplain removed his
own life vest and gave it to another person, saving four
additional lives; and
WHEREAS, As the ship sank, the chaplains were last seen
linked arm in arm in prayer; and
WHEREAS, The Chapel of the Four Chaplains, located in
Philadelphia, tells the story of the Four Chaplains and
encourages selfless sacrifice and interfaith cooperation; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenants Fox, Goode, Poling and Washington were
posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the
Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States authorized a one-
time Chaplain's Medal for Heroism that was presented to each
chaplain's next of kin on January 18, 1961; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, the Congress of the United States declared
February 3 "Four Chaplains Day"; and
WHEREAS, On February 8, 2018, the Sheraton Society Hill in
Philadelphia will host the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation's
50th Annual Four Chaplains Awards Banquet; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the 75th anniversary of the sinking
of the Dorchester; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
February 3, 2018, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania to
honor the valor and sacrifice of Lieutenant George Fox,
Lieutenant Alexander Goode, Lieutenant Clark Poling and
Lieutenant John Washington.
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