PRINTER'S NO. 168
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
45
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, READSHAW, GREINER, YOUNGBLOOD,
PHILLIPS-HILL, BOBACK, MURT, HENNESSEY, KINSEY, DRISCOLL,
JAMES, DiGIROLAMO, PEIFER, SCHWEYER, SONNEY, DUSH, RYAN,
GROVE, MILLARD, CALTAGIRONE, O'NEILL AND WARD,
JANUARY 25, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JANUARY 25, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 3, 2017, as "Four Chaplains Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On February 3, 1943, the USAT Dorchester was
crossing the North Atlantic in a convoy, transporting more than
900 troops to an American base in Greenland; and
WHEREAS, Four chaplains, the Reverend George Fox who was a
Methodist and a native of Lewistown, Rabbi Alexander Goode who
was Jewish and who served a congregation in York, the Reverend
Clark Poling who was part of the Reformed Church in America and
Father John Washington who was Roman Catholic, were aboard the
ship; and
WHEREAS, At approximately 12:55 a.m., a German U-boat's
torpedo struck the Dorchester, the explosion instantly knocking
out power and radio communication with escort ships; and
WHEREAS, Within 20 minutes, the Dorchester sank, leading to
more than 670 deaths; and
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WHEREAS, In the confusion, the four chaplains calmed, aided
and guided as many of their fellow service members to safety as
possible; and
WHEREAS, When life vests ran out, each chaplain removed his
own life vest and gave it to another man, saving four additional
lives; and
WHEREAS, As the ship sank, the chaplains were last seen
linked arm in arm in prayer; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenants Fox, Goode, Poling and Washington were
posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the
Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, In 1948, the Congress of the United States declared
February 3 "Four Chaplains Day"; and
WHEREAS, Congress authorized a one time Chaplain's Medal for
Heroism on July 14, 1960; and
WHEREAS, A Chaplain's Medal for Heroism was presented to each
chaplain's next of kin on January 18, 1961; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
February 3, 2017, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania and
honor the valor and sacrifice of these men.
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