PRINTER'S NO. 1622
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
286
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY WILLIAMS, MALAGARI, KENYATTA, BIZZARRO, RYAN,
DiGIROLAMO, FEE, KORTZ, MILLARD, SOLOMON, DONATUCCI, SONNEY,
McNEILL, SAINATO, HOHENSTEIN, SHUSTERMAN, SCHLOSSBERG,
McCARTER, JAMES, SNYDER, KULIK, ISAACSON, LONGIETTI, HILL-
EVANS, HOWARD, KINSEY, ROTHMAN, COX, ROZZI, BURNS, READSHAW,
KIRKLAND, MULLERY, STAATS, GLEIM, FREEMAN, NEILSON, SCHLEGEL
CULVER AND DeLUCA, APRIL 30, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 30, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Expressing condolences to the city of Paris, France, on the
destruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
WHEREAS, On the evening of April 15, 2019, Parisian
authorities were alerted to a fire in the attic of Cathédrale
Notre-Dame de Paris, which is located in the heart of Paris on a
small island known as Île de la Cité in the middle of the River
Seine; and
WHEREAS, Construction on the medieval Gothic Cathedral, whose
name means "Our Lady of Paris," began in 1163 during the reign
of King Louis VII, and was completed in 1345; and
WHEREAS, As one of the most famous landmarks in Paris, Notre-
Dame is visited by about 13 million people a year who flock to
it in reverence of its religious significance, architectural
mastery and rich history; and
WHEREAS, In the centuries since it was built, the cathedral
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has survived rioting Huguenots, the French Revolution, two world
wars, air pollution and acid rain; and
WHEREAS, Notre-Dame has hosted significant historical events,
such as the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte who was crowned
emperor in 1804 and the beatification of Joan of Arc by Pope
Pius X in 1909; and
WHEREAS, The cathedral became damaged and neglected after the
French Revolution but underwent a period of significant
overhauls from 1844 to 1864, which were spurred by the
popularity of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, "The Hunchback of Notre
Dame"; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, Notre-Dame once again had fallen
into disrepair and was undergoing extensive renovations and
restorations when the fire started; and
WHEREAS, Upon the sounding of the first fire alarm on April
15, 2019, investigators found no indication of fire, however, a
second alarm sounded 20 minutes later which led to the discovery
of a fire in the attic; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 400 firefighters were deployed to the
scene of the fire which quickly spread across the roof of the
cathedral; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of Parisians who had gathered in the
streets watched as Notre-Dame's iconic spire became engulfed in
flames and collapsed; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters, priests and municipal workers fought
through smoke, fumes and debris to save irreplaceable artifacts,
including candelabras, statues, furnishings and religious relics
such as the tunic of St. Louis and the Crown of Thorns, revered
as the one worn by Jesus Christ at his crucifixion; and
WHEREAS, When the fire approached Notre-Dame's bell towers,
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20 brave firefighters risked their lives by climbing inside the
towers to attack the fire from the inside which allowed them to
save the bell towers and main edifice; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters worked tirelessly for nine hours until
the fire was finally brought under control during the early
hours of the following morning; and
WHEREAS, Authorities believe the fire to be accidental but
have not determined the cause; and
WHEREAS, French President Emmanuel Macron has made a pledge
to rebuild the cathedral, and millions of dollars of funding and
donations have already been pledged to the cause, however,
experts believe it may take up to 20 years to complete the
repairs; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express
condolences to the city of Paris, France, on the destruction of
Notre-Dame Cathedral; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge the
efforts of the emergency responders who risked their lives to
protect a symbol of French cultural and national pride and a
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
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