Bill Text: MI HR0288 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-2)
Status: (Passed) 2020-06-24 - Adopted [HR0288 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0288-Enrolled.html
house resolution no.288
Reps. Witwer, Tate, Lasinski, Haadsma, Kennedy, Sabo, Garza, Shannon, Mueller, Tyrone Carter, Brenda Carter, Bolden, Hood, Cherry, Crawford, Hope, Koleszar, Sneller, Sowerby, Stone and Warren offered the following resolution:
A resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.
Whereas, July 30, 2020, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis; and
Whereas, On this day, we honor the ship’s survivors for their perseverance, bravery, and service to the United States of America; and
Whereas, During the Second World War, the U.S.S Indianapolis completed a top-secret high-speed trip to the island of Tinian to deliver uranium to be used in the first nuclear weapon to be dropped on Japan to end the war swiftly and prevent a costly invasion of its mainland; and
Whereas, After delivering its cargo, the U.S.S. Indianapolis departed the island of Tinian to the Philippines, expecting no Japanese resistance; and
Whereas, In July 1945, on the 30th day, at 0015 hours, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by an Imperial Japanese Navy submarine; and
Whereas, The USS Indianapolis sank in 12 short minutes and descended to the bottom of the ocean; and
Whereas, Of the 1,195 crewmen aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis, approximately 300 went down with the ship while the remaining 890 were adrift at sea; and
Whereas, For four days, in the oil covered and salty open sea, with blistering sunny days and subzero nights, the sailors who were adrift at sea braved dehydration, exposure, hypothermia, hallucinations, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks; and
Whereas, On Thursday, August 2, 1945, while on a routine patrol, a Navy patrol plane miraculously spotted the remaining survivors; and
Whereas, All air and surface units capable of rescue operations were dispatched to the scene at once; and
Whereas, Of the 890 men adrift at sea, only 316 survived; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. We especially recognize the service and sacrifice of our brave Michiganders who served on board the USS Indianapolis during this fateful mission, selflessly heeding the call by serving admirably in the United States Navy during at time of war.
