THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY LONGIETTI, MENSCH, SIPTROTH, ADOLPH, BAKER, BELFANTI, BEYER, BISHOP, BOBACK, BOYLE, BRENNAN, BROOKS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, DELOZIER, DeLUCA, DePASQUALE, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GABLER, GALLOWAY, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HORNAMAN, KAUFFMAN, M. KELLER, W. KELLER, KESSLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, LEVDANSKY, MANN, MARSICO, McCALL, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, MUNDY, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PAYNE, PEIFER, PETRARCA, PETRI, PICKETT, PRESTON, PYLE, QUIGLEY, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, ROEBUCK, ROHRER, ROSS, SABATINA, SAINATO, SANTARSIERO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SEIP, SHAPIRO, SOLOBAY, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, R. TAYLOR, THOMAS, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WATSON, WHEATLEY, WHITE, YOUNGBLOOD, CONKLIN, BEAR, DEASY, HARRIS, ROAE, KIRKLAND, BENNINGHOFF, TALLMAN, REICHLEY, SONNEY, STERN, BROWN, DALLY, MAJOR, HICKERNELL, MELIO, K. SMITH, OBERLANDER, EVERETT AND MURT, FEBRUARY 9, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 9, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating March 30, 2009, as "Vietnam Veterans Day" in

Pennsylvania and May 25, 2009, as "Fallen Heroes of the

Vietnam War Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize the selfless

service and supreme sacrifice of Vietnam veterans.

WHEREAS, The names of 58,256 casualties are inscribed on the

Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, referred to as The

Wall; and

WHEREAS, The Wall memorializes Vietnam combat zone casualties

and casualties incurred outside combat zones, including

servicepersons who died in support of combat missions and

servicepersons who subsequently died of wounds sustained in

Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, The first known casualty among United States

military personnel dates to June 8, 1956; and

WHEREAS, Military losses in southeast Asia from this

Commonwealth total 3,142; and

WHEREAS, Native sons who gave their lives in the line of duty

in Vietnam include 1,870 Army casualties, 152 Navy casualties,

148 Air Force casualties and 972 Marine casualties; and

WHEREAS, More than 300,000 armed forces members were wounded

while fighting in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were

signed, which required the release of all United States

prisoners of war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of all

United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, On March 30, 1973, the United States Armed Forces

completed the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel

Office continues to identify and repatriate the remains of

Vietnam-era servicepersons for interment by their loved ones;

and

WHEREAS, On May 25, 2009, communities across Pennsylvania and

the United States of America will pay tribute to those men and

women who gave their lives in the line of duty in the various

wars and conflicts engaged in by our military, including those

Fallen Heroes who served and died during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives commemorates the

heroism of Vietnam servicepersons who, in an escalating and

controversial commitment under six presidents, displayed strong

tactical skills and survival skills; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives commemorates the common

bond of these servicepersons, who endured, according to Jeane

Kirkpatrick in 1979, "conditions of guerrilla war"; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives commemorates the

unparalleled endeavors of all fallen, lost and injured troops

and all in-country veterans who fought honorably when called

upon and who returned to a besieged nation; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, with all due

thanks, designate March 30, 2009, as "Vietnam Veterans Day" in

Pennsylvania and May 25, 2009, as "Fallen Heroes of the Vietnam

War Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize the selfless service and

supreme sacrifice of Vietnam veterans.