[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 301 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 301

 Encouraging the United States Geological Survey, the National Science 
Foundation, and the Department of Defense to support a recovery mission 
  for the human remains of the crew killed in the George One crash in 
                  Antarctica, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2008

   Mr. Kirk (for himself, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Lampson) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
   Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Science and 
   Technology and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Encouraging the United States Geological Survey, the National Science 
Foundation, and the Department of Defense to support a recovery mission 
  for the human remains of the crew killed in the George One crash in 
                  Antarctica, and for other purposes.

Whereas in 1946, the George One was a Navy patrol plane involved in Operation 
        Highjump, an expedition in Antarctica led by Rear Admiral Richard E. 
        Byrd;
Whereas on December 30, 1946, the George One and its nine-man crew embarked on a 
        mission to photograph and explore Antarctica;
Whereas during the December 30, 1946, mission, the George One experienced 
        hazardous weather and crashed onto Thurston Island, Antarctica;
Whereas three crewmen of the George One, Ensign Maxwell A. Lopez, Aviation 
        Machinist's Mate 1st Class Frederick W. Williams, and Aviation Radioman 
        1st Class Wendell K. Hendersin, were killed in the crash;
Whereas the survivors of the George One, after being stranded on Thurston Island 
        for 7 days, buried the dead men and painted ``Williams, Hendersin, Lopez 
        Dead'' on the plane's broken wing to act as a makeshift tombstone;
Whereas the survivors of the George One intended for the grave to be temporary;
Whereas Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd attempted to recover the human remains from 
        Thurston Island but was precluded by hazardous weather;
Whereas in 2004, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the 
        United States Geological Survey determined the exact location of the 
        George One wreckage;
Whereas in 2005, the Navy canceled its intended recovery of the human remains 
        and wreckage of the George One; and
Whereas the Department of Defense declined to support a mission to recover the 
        human remains and wreckage of the George One: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes that the families of the crew killed in the 
        George One crash would benefit from the recovery of their loved 
        ones' remains from Thurston Island;
            (2) recognizes that the recovery of the makeshift tombstone 
        would allow the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and 
        Space Museum to share an important part of naval history with 
        the public; and
            (3) encourages the United States Geological Survey, the 
        National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense to 
        support in all practical ways a mission to recover the human 
        remains and makeshift tombstone from Thurston Island.
                                 <all>