THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY KORTZ, READSHAW, BAKER, BARRAR, BEAR, BENNINGHOFF, BISHOP, BOBACK, BOYD, K. BOYLE, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BROOKS, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, D. COSTA, CUTLER, DALEY, DAVIS, DeLUCA, DENLINGER, DePASQUALE, DeWEESE, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLEN, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, HAHN, HARHAI, HARHART, HARKINS, HORNAMAN, KAUFFMAN, KAVULICH, M.K. KELLER, KILLION, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KOTIK, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, McGEEHAN, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MULLERY, MURPHY, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PEIFER, PYLE, QUINN, REICHLEY, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, SONNEY, STABACK, STURLA, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TOEPEL, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHITE, YOUNGBLOOD, W. KELLER, SANTARSIERO AND MICOZZIE, FEBRUARY 15, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 15, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Paying tribute to the heroic efforts and sacrifices of the

United States Armed Forces during the Battle of Iwo Jima on

its 66th anniversary.

WHEREAS, The World War II battle for the Island of Iwo Jima

was the most difficult in United States Marine Corps history;

and

WHEREAS, Understanding that the price they were expected to

pay was high, the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen whose

mission it was to take the Island of Iwo Jima nevertheless set

to the task with extraordinary determination; and

WHEREAS, The United States Marine Corps suffered more than

23,000 casualties, including nearly 6,000 marines who lost their

lives; and

WHEREAS, The United States Marine Corps fought against an

entrenched and determined enemy force numbering approximately

20,000 soldiers and sailors; and

WHEREAS, The courageous men battled yard by yard over a 36-

day period to conquer the eight-square-mile volcanic island; and

WHEREAS, The victory achieved at Iwo Jima provided the United

States with a strategic base in the Western Pacific for the

final push against the enemy, thereby bringing the Pacific phase

of World War II one step closer to its conclusion; and 

WHEREAS, When the American flag was raised over Mount

Suribachi, signifying American command over the island, the

conduct of these fighting men was such that Admiral Chester

Nimitz proclaimed that during this battle "uncommon valor was a

common virtue"; and 

WHEREAS, The American victory, and the symbolic culmination

of countless acts of bravery and selfless sacrifice, was

captured for all and etched indelibly in our consciousness in

the photograph of the planting of the flag on Mount Suribachi;

and 

WHEREAS, That powerful image evokes profound thoughts and

emotions for generations removed from the epic battle; and

WHEREAS, Iwo Jima has entered the history books as one of the

most courageous examples of the fighting spirit of the United

States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, The 66th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima will

commence on February 19, 2011; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all

Pennsylvanians to join their fellow Americans in paying tribute

to the courageous members of the United States Armed Forces who

were involved in the Battle of Iwo Jima and use February 19,

2011, as a time of reflection on the bravery and spirit of our

servicemen.