[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE FOUR CHAPLAINS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, this month our nation commemorates the 56th 
anniversary of one of the most tragic, and at the same time 
inspirational, incidents in our nation's history.
  As an avid stamp collector, as well as a Member of Congress who 
served for many years on the Post Office and Civil Service Committee 
and who now serves on the Subcommittee on the Postal Service, I have 
long been aware that federal law prohibits any American being honored 
on a postage stamp prior to 10 years after his or her death. The only 
exception made is for Presidents of the United States, who may appear 
on stamps one year after their death.
  However, once and only once in this century was an exception made.
  And that was in 1948, fifty-one years ago, when Congress passed 
special legislation allowing the four chaplains to be honored on a 
stamp only five years after they sacrificed their lives. It was the 
night of February 3, 1943, fifty-six years ago this week, when four 
brave chaplains--George I. Fox and Clark V. Poling, Protestant 
ministers; Alexander D. Goode, a Rabbi; and John P. Washington, a Roman 
Catholic Priest--laid down their lives aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester 
so that others might live on.
  The Dorchester, carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen, and 
civilian workers, was traveling across the North Atlantic, toward a 
U.S. Army base on the coast of Greenland, when it was attacked without 
provocation by a German submarine. The Germans fired torpedoes toward 
the Dorchester which struck the transport ship below the water line, 
beyond all hope of repair. As water began to flood through the ship's 
hull, chaos set in aboard the Dorchester, and it was into the ensuing 
scene of utter hopelessness and despair that the chaplains' legacy was 
woven.
  When it was discovered that the supply of life jackets aboard the 
Dorchester was insufficient, the chaplains--without hesitation--removed 
their own life jackets and offered them to four frightened young men. 
The chaplains remained with those injured by the initial blast as the 
ship slanted down toward the icy water. The four chaplains were last 
seen clutching hands together, offering prayers to heaven for those 
around them.
  The qualities which those chaplains embodied--self-sacrifice, unity, 
and faith--are the qualities upon which our nation rests, and it is for 
this reason that they are rightfully honored as true American heroes.
  As we pay homage to the four chaplains today and throughout this 
month, let us call on all our fellow Americans to reflect for a moment 
upon the attributes which defined their actions.

  Mr. Speaker, today more than ever, it is important that we recall the 
sacrifice and selflessness which won for us the liberty and freedom 
which all of us Americans enjoy today.
  Today, we sometimes seem to be living in an era when selflessness and 
sacrifice for others is considered ``passe''. Today, it sometimes seems 
that some people are more concerned with coming up with excuses for 
their actions, and casting themselves as the ``victim'', no matter 
what.
  Today, more than ever, it is appropriate to remember the four 
chaplains and their self sacrifice. It is important to recall also the 
sacrifice of countless other men and women who gave their lives in the 
name of our country.
  Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote: ``A hero cannot be a hero unless in a 
heroic world.''
  Mr. Speaker, in memory of the 4 chaplains, let us dedicate ourselves 
to reconstruct that historic world, a world where ideals and principals 
reign supreme.

                          ____________________