Bill Text: DE HCR46 | 2009-2010 | 145th General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: Supporting The Creation Of A National Pow/mia Trailway System And Recommending That The Segment Of The Abandonded Pennsylvania Railroad Running From South Market Street In Wilmington To Battery Park In New Castle Be Designated As The First Segment Thereof.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-06-09 - Reported Out of Committee (VETERANS AFFAIRS) in House with 11 On Its Merits [HCR46 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2009-HCR46-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Brady & Sen. McDowell

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

145th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 46

SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A NATIONAL POW/MIA TRAILWAY SYSTEM AND RECOMMENDING THAT THE SEGMENT OF THE ABANDONDED PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD RUNNING FROM SOUTH MARKET STREET IN WILMINGTON TO BATTERY PARK IN NEW CASTLE BE DESIGNATED AS THE FIRST SEGMENT THEREOF.

WHEREAS, members of the United States Armed Forces have fought on behalf of their country in many wars; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Americans who served in times of war were captured by the enemy or listed as missing in action; and

WHEREAS, many American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhuman treatment by their captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war, and many prisoners of war died from such treatment; and

WHEREAS, many of these Americans are still missing and unaccounted for, and the uncertainty surrounding their fates has caused their families to suffer great anxiety and hardship; and

WHEREAS, the terms "Prisoner of War" and "Missing in Action" have special significance to the brave individuals who have served in our Nation's military; and

WHEREAS, the sacrifices of Americans still missing and unaccounted for and their families are deserving of national recognition and support; and

WHEREAS, a national POW/MIA Trailway System would create a nationwide network of trails for biking, hiking, walking and running built on abandoned rail lines, with each ½ mile being dedicated in remembrance of prisoner of war or service-member listed as missing in action; and

WHEREAS, the six mile long branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad running between the Wilmington waterfront and City of New Castle was abandoned in 1984 and the tracks were removed in the mid-1990s; and

WHEREAS, this segment of the Pennsylvania Railroad has historical significance, as it was frequently used to carry troop trains during World War I and World War II; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly believes it is appropriate that Delaware, having been the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, be first state to designate a portion of abandoned railway as the nation's first POW/MIA Trailway.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 145th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the concurrence of the Senate, that the members hereby support the creation of a national POW/MIA Trailway System.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the House and Senate of the 145th General Assembly of the State of Delaware hereby recommend that the segment of the abandoned Pennsylvania Railroad running from the South Market Street Bridge in Wilmington to Battery Park in New Castle be designated as the first segment of a national POW/MIA National Trailway System.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon passage, a suitably prepared and duly authenticated copy of this Concurrent Resolution be forwarded to the members of Delaware's congressional delegation.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution supports the creation of a national POW/MIA Trailway system and recommends that the segment of the abandoned Pennsylvania Railroad running from the South Market Street Bridge in Wilmington to Battery Park in New Castle be designated as the first segment of the National POW/MIA Trailway System.