PRINTER'S NO. 3876
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1018
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY THOMAS, DERMODY, TURZAI, DONATUCCI, NEILSON,
DiGIROLAMO, KIRKLAND, RYAN, READSHAW, BARRAR, BIZZARRO,
SAINATO, KINSEY, MOUL, HENNESSEY, MILLARD, HICKERNELL,
HARKINS, PICKETT, YOUNGBLOOD, SAYLOR, WARD, SCHWEYER,
LONGIETTI AND DALEY, JULY 23, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JULY 23, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the successful international effort to rescue the Wild
Boars soccer team members and their assistant coach from the
flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand.
WHEREAS, On June 23, 2018, 12 members of the Wild Boars youth
soccer team and their assistant coach were having a picnic to
celebrate a team member's 17th birthday when they decided to
explore the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand's Chiang Rai
Province; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after they entered the cave, the group was
forced to travel farther than expected due to heavy rains and
sudden flooding; and
WHEREAS, A park ranger noticed the group's belongings outside
the cave, and a national rescue effort began shortly thereafter
with Thai Navy SEALS diving through the murky waters of the
cave; and
WHEREAS, By June 27, the Thai Navy SEALS were joined by
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members of the United States Indo-Pacific Command and British
cave diving experts who brought specialized equipment for the
treacherous rescue mission; and
WHEREAS, The 12 teenage boys and their assistant coach were
finally found alive on July 2, 2018, two miles from the cave
entrance and more than a week after they had become stranded;
and
WHEREAS, The joy of the discovery quickly turned to a
desperate search for a plan to get the group of 13 out of the
cave; and
WHEREAS, Despite efforts to find an alternative entrance,
make an artificial entrance or drain the water, worsening rain
and decreasing oxygen levels made it clear that the group would
only be rescued by going out the way they had entered the cave;
and
WHEREAS, The pathway from the entrance to the cave to where
the group was located took six hours for even very experienced
divers, and the return trip took five hours; and
WHEREAS, The teammates and assistant coach would need to be
taught not only how to dive but also how to swim; and
WHEREAS, On July 6, Saman Kunan, a former Thai Navy SEAL,
lost his life when he ran out of oxygen in a narrow underwater
passage while returning from a supply trip; and
WHEREAS, On July 8, with deteriorating conditions, divers
began to extract the group, with two divers swimming with each
individual, using a rope to guide each individual; and
WHEREAS, On the first day, the strongest four boys were
brought out of the cave alive and taken to the hospital, where
they were carefully examined and prepared for an eventual return
to normal life; and
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WHEREAS, On July 9, four more boys were rescued and reunited
with the other four teammates at the hospital; and
WHEREAS, On July 10, the final four boys and the assistant
coach were pulled from the cave and taken to the hospital, and
all members of the rescue effort had successfully exited the
cave; and
WHEREAS, All members of the group were recovering well and in
good spirits after their long ordeal; and
WHEREAS, Though the boys were quick to request their favorite
meals upon arrival at the hospital, these requests were denied
due to the prolonged time the group had gone without food; and
WHEREAS, The United States contributed to the effort, with 36
Pacific Command personnel, including 12 search-and-rescue
divers, as well as staff from the United States Embassy; and
WHEREAS, The rescue is an inspiring example of what can be
accomplished through international cooperation, and the
international community will not forget the sacrifices made
during this effort; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania honor the successful international
effort to rescue the Wild Boars soccer team members and their
assistant coach from the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave in
Thailand.
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