A RESOLUTION

 

1Recognizing November 10, 2013, as "Marine Corps Day" in
2Pennsylvania in honor of the United States Marine Corps'
3238th anniversary of its founding.

4WHEREAS, On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental
5Congress met in Philadelphia and passed a resolution calling for
6two battalions of Marines to be raised for service as landing
7forces with the fleet; and

8WHEREAS, That resolution established the Continental Marines
9and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps; and

10WHEREAS, Since its first amphibious raid on March 3, 1776,
11the United States Marine Corps has fought with great courage on
12every continent and in every conflict in American history; and

13WHEREAS, During World War I, Marines fought their famed
14battle at Belleau Wood, establishing their reputation of
15toughness and fierceness; and

1WHEREAS, The Marine Corps played a central role in the
2liberation of the Pacific Islands during World War II; and

3WHEREAS, "Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima," the famous
4photograph by Joe Rosenthal, will always symbolize the triumph
5and glory of the Marine Corps; and

6WHEREAS, The momentum of the Korean War shifted when the
7Marine Corps, in conjunction with the Navy, launched a massive
8amphibious attack at Inchon, surprising the North Koreans by
9putting thousands of United States troops behind enemy lines;
10and

11WHEREAS, The Marine Corps participated in major offensives of
12the Vietnam War, engaging in guerrilla warfare, implementing
13unconventional techniques for counterinsurgency and working as
14military advisors to the Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps; and

15WHEREAS, From 1990 to 1992, Marines participated in Operation
16Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, leading the liberation
17of Kuwait and the defeat of Iraqi forces; and

18WHEREAS, The Marine Corps continues to make significant
19contributions to the war on terrorism as part of Operation
20Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

21WHEREAS, Marines truly embody the motto of the Marine Corps:
22"Semper Fidelis," which translates from Latin as "always
23faithful," and signifies the defense of freedom and democracy
24worldwide; and

25WHEREAS, Today, the Marine Corps is a separate branch of the
26United States Armed Forces, distinguishing itself as an
27expeditionary force ready to respond on the ground, in the air
28and by sea; and

29WHEREAS, There are roughly 202,000 individuals currently
30enlisted in the Marine Corps and roughly 40,000 reserve members;

1and

2WHEREAS, Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 192, written by
3Major Commandant General John A. Lejeune, established the
4mandatory celebration of the Marine Corps' anniversary;
5therefore be it

6RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize November 10, 2013, as
7"Marine Corps Day" in Pennsylvania in honor of the United States
8Marine Corps' 238th anniversary of its founding.