Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 Oregon Laws 2010 Special Session

          Whereas the United States Merchant Marine served as the nation’s first Navy and helped George Washington’s Continental Army defeat the British Navy; and

          Whereas since 1775, United States Merchant Mariners have served valiantly in times of peace and in every war; and

          Whereas the United States Merchant Marine Academy is the only one of the five service academies that sends its cadets into war; and

          Whereas 142 undergraduates of the Academy were lost during World War II; and

          Whereas during World War II, Merchant Mariners served honorably in combat but were denied veterans’ benefits and recognition at the end of the war despite sustaining the highest rate of casualties of any of the armed services; and

          Whereas more than 95 percent of the Allied Forces and materiel that were transported during World War II were transported by Merchant Marine ships; and

          Whereas the Merchant Mariners of World War II were denied the unprecedented benefits of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (known as the “GI Bill of 1944”); and

          Whereas the story of the United States Merchant Mariners of World War II is one of patriotism, of youthful exuberance, of dedication to duty, of bravery in the midst of battle and of a nation that forgot these heroes after the end of the war for more than 40 years until they were given veteran status in 1988; and

          Whereas by that time, more than 125,000 of those Merchant Mariners had died and many had lost out on opportunities and benefits they greatly deserved; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

          That we, the members of the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly, in special session assembled, recognize the tremendous sacrifices and contributions of the United States Merchant Marine and its veterans and the entire maritime industry to this state and nation during and following World War II; and be it further

          Resolved, That we recognize the heroic and invaluable sacrifices that United States Merchant Marine veterans have made to help ensure the prosperity and safety of this state and nation.

Filed in the Office of Secretary of State February 25, 2010

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