Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania SR217: A Resolution designating February 3, 2026, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania.
Status: In committee, January 30, 2026
What the bill says
A resolution Designating February 3, 2026, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania.
From the introduced text, January 30, 2026:
A RESOLUTION Designating February 3, 2026, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, On January 11, 1943, the United States Army Transport Dorchester sailed from New York to Greenland carrying more than 900 soldiers, merchant marines and civilian support forces; and WHEREAS, Shortly after midnight on February 3, 1943, the Dorchester was struck by a torpedo fired without warning from a German U-boat patrolling the North Atlantic, instantly killing 100 men and cutting off power and radio communication with escort ships; and WHEREAS, In the 20 minutes before the ship sank, four Army chaplains, Lieutenants George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) and Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed), comforted the dying, encouraged the living, guided survivors to lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets to men who had none, sacrificing their own lives for those of their spiritual charges; and WHEREAS, Because the four chaplains were technically ineligible for the Medal of Honor, the Congress of the United States authorized a onetime posthumous Special Medal for Heroism which was presented to the four chaplains' next of kin on January 18, 1961, in addition to the Purple Hearts and Distinguished Service Crosses already awarded to them; and WHEREAS, The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, located in Philadelphia, continues to honor their peerless legacy by recognizing …
Sponsors
- Kristin Phillips-Hill (R, 28) · primary sponsor
- Joe Pittman (R, 41)
- Dawn Keefer (R, 31)
- Christine Tartaglione (D, 2)
- Judith Ward (R, 30)
- Michele Brooks (R, 50)
- Doug Mastriano (R, 33)
- Daniel Laughlin (R, 49)
- Lynda Schlegel Culver (R, SD-027)
- Wayne Fontana (D, 42)
- David Argall (R, 29)
- Scott Hutchinson (R, 21)
Latest actions
- : Referred to RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, Jan. 30, 2026
Subjects: RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS
Common questions
- What is SR217?
- SR217 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution designating February 3, 2026, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania.
- What does SR217 do?
- In its own words: A resolution Designating February 3, 2026, as "Four Chaplains Day" in Pennsylvania.
- What is the status of SR217?
- In committee as of January 30, 2026. Latest action: Referred to RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, Jan. 30, 2026 (January 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored SR217?
- Kristin Phillips-Hill (R, 28), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SR217?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sr217
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.