THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON, FONTANA, ALLOWAY, RAFFERTY, FARNESE, SCHWANK, FERLO AND PILEGGI, JUNE 7, 2011

REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 7, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Honoring William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn and endorsing

the construction of a Penn Memorial at the Independence Mall

National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn made

significant contributions to the foundation of the United States

of America and to the human condition with the establishment of

the 1682 "Holy Experiment"; and

WHEREAS, William and Hannah Penn are two of only seven people

ever granted Honorary Citizenship by the Congress of the United

States; and

WHEREAS, The William Penn Tercentenary drew commemorations

from at least 16 states, the Ambassador from Great Britain and

other international dignitaries to honor and recognize William

Penn as "one of the great men of his age and of all time" and

his 1682 "Holy Experiment" in government as "the keystone of the

rich philosophy later adopted by the fathers of the Constitution

of the United States"; and

WHEREAS, In Penn's promotion of the ideals of the new colony

of Pennsylvania throughout Europe, "the American Dream" and its

idealization as a melting pot was established and still impacts

the world today; and

WHEREAS, The 1682 Treaty of Friendship with the Native

Americans, more widely known as the Shackamaxon Treaty, became a

universal historical symbol of religious and civil liberties and

is one of the few events in American history noted for its just

and fair treatment of peoples of different cultures; and

WHEREAS, William Penn was directly involved in the founding

of three of the original 13 colonies, specifically Delaware,

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which became the first three states

to ratify the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, William Penn initiated the first call for a "united

states" in his 1696 "A Plan for Union for the English Colonies

in America"; and

WHEREAS, William Penn developed the first practical plan for

world peace and a "united nations" in 1693, which was 251 years

before the United Nations was established; and

WHEREAS, Hannah Callowhill Penn became the first female

Governor and Proprietor in the New World and of its largest and

most prosperous colony, served effectively for 14 years and set

the course of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the mid-

1750s; and

WHEREAS, William Penn had a direct influence on popular

national symbols, including the Liberty Bell and Independence

Hall, as well as the United States Constitution, which are all

included in the Independence Mall National Historic Park in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Liberty Bell was originally a 50th Anniversary

commemoration of Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, the most

democratic document in the world at that time, before

transforming into its present stature as an international symbol

of freedom, liberty and independence; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate honor William Penn and Hannah

Callowhill Penn for their impact and contributions to

Pennsylvania and to the foundation of the United States of

America; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate endorse the construction of a Penn

Memorial at the Independence Mall National Historical Park in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to honor and recognize the

accomplishments and impact of William Penn and Hannah Callowhill

Penn; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of the resolution be transmitted to the

President of the United States, the presiding officers of each

house of Congress, each member of Congress from Pennsylvania and

the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior.