[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO RABBI ALEXANDER D. GOODE

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
courage and bravery of Rabbi Alexander D. Goode and the three other 
chaplains aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester on the night it sank into the 
icy waters off the coast of Greenland.
  On February 3, 1943, the Dorchester, filled to capacity with over 900 
men, was struck by German torpedoes around 1:00 am. The Germans 
succeeded in knocking out the ship's communication, injuring and 
killing scores of men, and fatally wounding the Dorchester. As the crew 
realized what had just occurred, chaos and panic erupted on all sides. 
In the midst of the confusion, four Army Chaplains, Lt. George L. Fox, 
Methodist; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; Lt. Clark V. 
Polling, Dutch Reformed; and Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish, brought 
hope and light to those around them.
  The Arctic air made protection from the cold essential to those 
hoping to survive the night. As one sailor, Petty Officer John J. 
Mahoney, tried to return to his cabin to retrieve his gloves, he was 
stopped by Rabbi Goode. ``I have two pairs,'' the Rabbi said, handing 
the sailor the pair he had been wearing. In retrospect, Mahoney 
realized the Rabbi could not have had an extra pair and had sacrificed 
his only gloves to aide the sailor.
  As the ship sank, the four chaplains distributed jackets and words of 
encouragement to those remaining. When there were no more life jackets 
left, the four removed their own preservers and handed them to the 
sailors next in line, sealing their own fate. Approximately 18 minutes 
after it was hit, the Dorchester sank. The last sight many of the 
survivors recall was the four chaplains, arms linked, praying together 
with over 600 men still on board.
  The sinking of the Dorchester 55 years ago not only showed the 
chaplains' tremendous strength of spirit, but also illuminated their 
racial and religious tolerance. In an era of prejudice, these four men 
embraced ideas on interfaith relationships. These men shared a special 
brotherhood which lasted until the very end.
  Mr. President, there are people in history who stand apart from the 
rest, and who go above and beyond what is demanded by their fellow men 
and women. Rabbi Goode and the three other chaplains were such men. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of these truly 
remarkable heroes. Their story and the lessons it teaches will not soon 
be forgotten.

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