[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 683 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 683

   Honoring Benjamin Franklin on the 300th anniversary of his birth.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2006

    Mr. Fossella (for himself and Mr. Ford) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Honoring Benjamin Franklin on the 300th anniversary of his birth.

Whereas, as a founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin is 
        recognized as one of America's greatest scientists, inventors, 
        statesmen, printers, philosophers, musicians, and economists;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 
        1706, and moved at the age of 17 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which 
        served as his hometown for nearly 67 years until his death on April 17, 
        1790;
Whereas, upon arriving in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin established a thriving 
        printing business, which would become the most successful in the 
        Colonies;
Whereas, as a printer, his projects and publications included much of the 
        currency of the time as well as pamphlets, newspapers, and ``Poor 
        Richard's Almanack'';
Whereas Benjamin Franklin served as an opinion leader in the Colonies, shaping 
        much of the public discussion of the era, and he created, through his 
        writings, a series of timeless aphorisms;
Whereas, in addition to his contributions to modern society through his literary 
        work, Benjamin Franklin conducted significant scientific explorations 
        that have had a profound impact on the evolution of new technologies;
Whereas even though Benjamin Franklin had little formal education, his curious 
        nature and industrious spirit helped him discover the Gulf Stream, 
        accurately describe the electrical nature of lighting, explain 
        whirlwinds, and invent the electrostatic machine, the Franklin stove, 
        bifocals, the lightning rod, and the concept of daylight saving time;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin sought to improve the lives of the citizenry by 
        establishing America's first circulating library so that people could 
        borrow books even though they might not have been able to afford to buy 
        them;
Whereas, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin created a postal 
        system and, to help ensure public safety, created the Union Fire 
        Company;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin founded America's first fire insurance company and 
        established America's first liberal arts institution, opening in 1751 as 
        the Academy of Philadelphia, which would later become the University of 
        Pennsylvania;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin served the Colonies as agent to England's Parliament 
        and as Ambassador to France;
Whereas, in France, Benjamin Franklin secured the foreign support that would 
        turn the tide of the Revolutionary War and free the Colonies from the 
        British yoke;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin stands alone as the only person to have signed four of 
        the most important documents in the history of the United States, 
        including the Declaration of Independence (in 1776); the Treaty of 
        Alliance, Amity, and Commerce with France (in 1778); the Treaty of Peace 
        between England, France, and the United States (in 1782); and the 
        Constitution (in 1787);
Whereas Benjamin Franklin is also credited with authoring parts of the 
        Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; and
Whereas in recognition of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin 
        Franklin and his contributions to American life, the national 
        celebration of his great life has been recognized by Congress through 
        enactment of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission Act (Public 
        Law 107-202), the Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 
        108-464), and the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Act 
        of 2005 (Public Law 109-153), with the intention of inspiring the 
        celebration of the remarkable life of Benjamin Franklin and gaining a 
        deeper appreciation of his legacy to the United States for generations 
        to come: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors Benjamin 
Franklin on the 300th anniversary of his birth.
                                 <all>