PRINTER'S NO. 1537
No. 135 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, NOVEMBER 19, 2001
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, NOVEMBER 19, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Declaring November 19, 2001, as "Recognition Day of the
2 Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St. John, Knights of Malta"
3 in Pennsylvania.
4 WHEREAS, The Order of Malta traces its origins to Jerusalem
5 in 1099, before the First Crusade, with the establishment of a
6 hospice-infirmary for pilgrims in Jerusalem; and
7 WHEREAS, Over the centuries the Order of Malta has survived
8 military attacks which resulted in the loss of its land and much
9 of its property, and
10 WHEREAS, After the final conquest by Napoleon forced the
11 members to abandon the Island of Malta, the Order of Malta
12 established its headquarters in Rome, where it has remained; and
13 WHEREAS, The Order of Malta is recognized under international
14 law as a sovereign entity and exchanges ambassadors and
15 diplomatic representatives with more than 80 countries; and
16 WHEREAS, There are approximately 12,000 members of the Order
17 of Malta around the world today; and
18 WHEREAS, The Order of Malta operates hospitals and health
1 clinics around the world as well as major ambulance services and
2 disaster relief agencies and distributes food, medicines,
3 medical supplies, clothing and other relief supplies worldwide;
4 and
5 WHEREAS, On August 24, 1994, in recognition of its
6 international presence as a hospitaller organization, the Order
7 of Malta was admitted to the United Nations by being granted
8 Permanent Observer status, similar to the Red Cross and other
9 relief organizations, which allows it to participate in the
10 United Nations General Assembly; and
11 WHEREAS, The eight-pointed white Maltese Cross, a symbol of
12 charity towards mankind, is a comfort and consolation to the
13 sick and the poor; and
14 WHEREAS, The Order of Malta stands ready to meet the great
15 challenges of the modern age in the same spirit of selflessness
16 and devotion that inspired its founders more than 900 years ago;
17 therefore be it
18 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the valuable humanitarian
19 work of the Order of Malta by declaring November 19, 2001, as
20 "Recognition Day of the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St.
21 John, Knights of Malta" in Pennsylvania.
K15L82BIL/20010S0135R1537 - 2 -