1Designating February 9, 2013, as "The Battle of Guadalcanal
2Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, February 9, 2013, marks the 70th anniversary of the
4Battle of Guadalcanal, the first major Allied offensive action
5in the Pacific Theater during World War II; and

6WHEREAS, The six-month battle, from August 7, 1942, to
7February 9, 1943, claimed the lives of 1,592 American troops,
8wounded 4,183 and disabled thousands more through tropical
9diseases; and

10WHEREAS, The code named "Operation Watchtower" was
11orchestrated as a follow-up to the victories at the Battle of
12Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway and was successful in ending
13Japanese expansion and establishing Allied air superiority in
14the southern Pacific; and

15WHEREAS, The Japanese construction of an airfield on

1Guadalcanal, an island, part of the Solomon Islands off the
2eastern coast of Australia, would have threatened the sea lines
3of communication with Australia as well as protected Japan's
4major base at Rabaul in Papua, New Guinea; and

5WHEREAS, The victory at Guadalcanal was a militarily
6strategic victory as it allowed for further advances in the
7South Pacific and laid the foundation for the "island hopping"
8campaigns; and

9WHEREAS, The victory at Guadalcanal was a psychological
10victory for the American military which had beaten the best of
11the Empire of Japan's land, air and naval forces; and

12WHEREAS, The victory at Guadalcanal generated increased
13optimism and attention for the United States' war effort in the
14Pacific; and

15WHEREAS, The gallant forces who fought battles, disease,
16malnutrition and extreme weather conditions displayed incredible
17bravery and stamina; therefore be it

18RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate
19February 9, 2013, as "The Battle of Guadalcanal Remembrance
20Day"; and be it further

21RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage local
22governments and communities throughout this Commonwealth to
23conduct appropriate " The Battle of Guadalcanal Remembrance Day"
24observances to ensure that the many sacrifices of that day are
25not forgotten.