PRINTER'S NO. 2487
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
162
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, ROTHMAN, SANCHEZ, D. MILLER, HENNESSEY,
LONGIETTI, DELLOSO, MILLARD, RYAN, McNEILL, SCHLOSSBERG,
SAYLOR, PEIFER, A. DAVIS, JOZWIAK, BROOKS, MARSHALL,
N. NELSON, CRUZ, SNYDER, MENTZER, HILL-EVANS, McCLINTON,
DeLUCA, O'MARA AND CIRESI, DECEMBER 7, 2021
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
DECEMBER 7, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Colin Powell and his contributions to the
United States.
WHEREAS, Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937, in
Harlem, New York, the son of Jamaican immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell enrolled in the Reserve Officers'
Training Corps during his education at the City College of New
York; and
WHEREAS, After graduation in 1958, Mr. Powell was
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army
and was stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, when he met
Alma Vivian Johnson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell and Miss Johnson married in 1962 and had
three children; and
WHEREAS, Soon after his wedding, Mr. Powell became one of
16,000 advisers sent to South Vietnam by President John F.
Kennedy; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Powell served two tours of duty in the Vietnam
War; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell was a four-star general who, in 1987,
became the first Black National Security Advisor; and
WHEREAS, During the Cold War, Mr. Powell was instrumental in
reshaping the military and breaking down the Iron Curtain
through what became known as the Powell Doctrine; and
WHEREAS, The Powell Doctrine refers to Mr. Powell's belief
that if the United States is to go to war, it must identify
clear political objectives, gain public support and use decisive
and overwhelming force to defeat enemy forces; and
WHEREAS, During the presidency of George H. W. Bush, Mr.
Powell became the youngest and first Black Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff; and
WHEREAS, As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. Powell
led the United States military's efforts in the invasion of
Panama in 1989-1990, the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the
humanitarian intervention in Somalia in 1992-1993; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Mr. Powell was unanimously confirmed by the
United States Senate to be this country's first Black Secretary
of State; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell was a distinguished public servant who
served as one of the nation's top soldiers and diplomats; and
WHEREAS, During his career, Mr. Powell earned numerous medals
and awards, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the Bronze
Star Medal, two Purple Hearts, the Presidential Citizens Medal,
the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Award, the
Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Award and two
Presidential Medals of Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell passed away on October 18, 2021, due to
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complications from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell was a trailblazer who devoted decades of
his life to protecting our country, freedom and independence;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powell will be remembered for decades to come
for his remarkable contributions and resilience; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of
Colin Powell and his contributions to the United States.
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