[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1930
                           THE FOUR CHAPLAINS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Price of Georgia). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to take this opportunity here 
this evening to recognize the selfless and courageous sacrifice made 62 
years ago by the four military chaplains on board the USS Dorchester, 
an American troop ship during World War II. The example of these four 
chaplains is an important reminder to all Americans, especially now 
when another generation of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen such 
as Corporal Joseph Fite, whom we just heard of his making the ultimate 
sacrifice for our Nation, of the important lessons of both the sorrow 
and heroism found in war. We today have a new generation making 
sacrifices overseas in harm's way as these four military chaplains did 
so courageously 62 years ago.
  On February 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed in the icy waters 
off the coast of Greenland. Over 900 men were on board. Only 230 
survived. Many of the survivors recounted the story of the heroic 
actions of four chaplains of different faiths: A Jewish rabbi, 
Lieutenant Alexander Goode, from York, Pennsylvania, my hometown; a 
Catholic priest, Lieutenant John Washington; and two Protestant 
ministers, Lieutenants George Fox and Clark Poling.
  These four servants of God spent the 18 minutes of the Dorchester's 
sinking, their last 18 minutes in this life, helping their fellow human 
beings to safety. When there were no more life jackets to hand out, the 
chaplains removed their own and gave them to four shipmates. The four 
chaplains were last seen on the hull of the ship arm and arm in prayer 
as the ship sank into the icy waters.
  There is no greater example of love than the four chaplains' selfless 
service to and sacrifice for their fellow human beings. A love that did 
not discriminate based on race or creed. A love that required the 
ultimate of sacrifices.
  Our memory of and tribute to the four chaplains continues today as 
important a lesson in humanity now as it was 62 years ago.

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