HR0890 LRB096 18729 GRL 34114 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Ships of all types sail through the waters in and
3 around our nation every day; and
 
4     WHEREAS, These vessels, which are owned by U.S. companies
5 and are registered and operated under the American flag, make
6 up the United States Merchant Marine; and
 
7     WHEREAS, In accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of
8 1936, merchant marines are considered military personnel
9 during war time; and
 
10     WHEREAS, During war or national emergency, the Merchant
11 Marine is responsible for delivering military supplies to our
12 armed forces and allies overseas; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The role of non-uniformed merchant sailors in
14 World War II was one of the most dangerous and important of the
15 war; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Defenseless or lightly armed private merchant
17 ships, facing the same dangers as Navy personnel sailing
18 hostile waters, carried supplies to our soldiers fighting
19 overseas; and
 

 

 

HR0890 - 2 - LRB096 18729 GRL 34114 r

1     WHEREAS, Hundreds of ships and thousands of men were lost
2 to enemy submarines and aircraft during World War II; and
 
3     WHEREAS, There is currently a bill pending in Congress that
4 would allow the merchant marines of World War II to receive
5 benefits for their service; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The merchant marines served loyally in times of
7 great danger in defense of their country; it is only fitting
8 and proper that these brave men be given their just reward;
9 therefore, be it
 
10     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12 urge the federal government to adopt legislation allowing
13 merchant marines who served during World War II to receive
14 benefits for their service; and be it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
16 presented to the members of the Illinois congressional
17 delegation.