Bill Text: PA HR349 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn and endorsing the construction of a Penn Memorial at the Independence Mall National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 38-17)

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-23 - Adopted (198-0) [HR349 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR349-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2171
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 349 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY CLYMER, AUMENT, BAKER, BARBIN, BOBACK, BOYD, B. BOYLE, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, DENLINGER, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, FREEMAN, GODSHALL, HAHN, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HICKERNELL, KAUFFMAN, M. K. KELLER, KORTZ, MAHER, MAJOR, MALONEY, MILLARD, MILNE, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PICKETT, READSHAW, ROCK, STABACK, STERN, TAYLOR, THOMAS, VEREB AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 22, 2011
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 22, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Honoring William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn and endorsing
the construction of a Penn Memorial at the Independence Mall
National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, William Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn made
significant contributions to the foundation of the United States
of America and to the human condition with the establishment of
the 1682 "Holy Experiment"; and
WHEREAS, William and Hannah Penn are two of only seven people
ever granted Honorary Citizenship by the Congress of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, The William Penn Tercentenary drew commemorations
from at least 16 states, the Ambassador from Great Britain and
other international dignitaries to honor and recognize William
Penn as "one of the great men of his age and of all time" and
his 1682 "Holy Experiment" in government as "the keystone of the
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rich philosophy later adopted by the fathers of the Constitution
of the United States"; and
WHEREAS, In Penn's promotion of the ideals of the new colony
of Pennsylvania throughout Europe, "the American Dream" and its
idealization as a melting pot was established and still impacts
the world today; and
WHEREAS, The 1682 Treaty of Friendship with the Native
Americans, more widely known as the Shackamaxon Treaty, became a
universal historical symbol of religious and civil liberties and
is one of the few events in American history noted for its just
and fair treatment of peoples of different cultures; and
WHEREAS, William Penn was directly involved in the founding
of three of the original 13 colonies, specifically Delaware,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which became the first three states
to ratify the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, William Penn initiated the first call for a "united
states" in his 1696 "A Plan for Union for the English Colonies
in America"; and
WHEREAS, William Penn developed the first practical plan for
world peace and a "united nations" in 1693, which was 251 years
before the United Nations was established; and
WHEREAS, Hannah Callowhill Penn became the first female
Governor and Proprietor in the New World and of its largest and
most prosperous colony, served effectively for 14 years and set
the course of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the mid-
1750s; and
WHEREAS, William Penn had a direct influence on popular
national symbols, including the Liberty Bell and Independence
Hall, as well as the United States Constitution, which are all
included in the Independence Mall National Historic Park in
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Liberty Bell was originally a 50th Anniversary
commemoration of Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, the most
democratic document in the world at that time, before
transforming into its present stature as an international symbol
of freedom, liberty and independence; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor William
Penn and Hannah Callowhill Penn for their impact and
contributions to Pennsylvania and to the foundation of the
United States of America; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives endorse the
construction of a Penn Memorial at the Independence Mall
National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to honor
and recognize the accomplishments and impact of William Penn and
Hannah Callowhill Penn; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of the resolution be transmitted to the
President of the United States, the presiding officers of each
house of Congress, each member of Congress from Pennsylvania and
the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior.
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