1Recognizing November 10, 2014, as "Marine Corps Day" in
2Pennsylvania in honor of the United States Marine Corps'
3239th 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

16WHEREAS, The Marine Corps played a central role in the
17liberation of the Pacific Islands during World War II; and

18WHEREAS, "Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima," the famous
19photograph by Joe Rosenthal, will always symbolize the triumph

1and glory of the Marine Corps; and

2WHEREAS, The momentum of the Korean War shifted when the
3Marine Corps, in conjunction with the Navy, launched a massive
4amphibious attack at Inchon, surprising the North Koreans by
5putting thousands of United States troops behind enemy lines;
6and

7WHEREAS, The Marine Corps participated in major offensives of
8the Vietnam War, engaging in guerrilla warfare, implementing
9unconventional techniques for counterinsurgency and working as
10military advisors to the Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps; and

11WHEREAS, From 1990 to 1992, Marines participated in Operation
12Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, leading the liberation
13of Kuwait and the defeat of Iraqi forces; and

14WHEREAS, The Marine Corps continues to make significant
15contributions to the war on terrorism as part of Operation
16Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

17WHEREAS, Marines truly embody the motto of the Marine Corps:
18"Semper Fidelis," which translates from Latin as "always
19faithful," and signifies the defense of freedom and democracy
20worldwide; and

21WHEREAS, Today, the Marine Corps is a separate branch of the
22United States Armed Forces, distinguishing itself as an
23expeditionary force ready to respond on the ground, in the air
24and by sea; and

25WHEREAS, There are roughly 202,000 individuals currently
26enlisted in the Marine Corps and roughly 40,000 reserve members;
27and

28WHEREAS, Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 192, written by
29Major Commandant General John A. Lejeune, established the
30mandatory celebration of the Marine Corps' anniversary;

1therefore be it

2RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize November 10, 2014, as
3"Marine Corps Day" in Pennsylvania in honor of the United States
4Marine Corps' 239th anniversary of its founding.