Bill Text: MI HR0368 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare June 13, 2018, as USCGC Escanaba Day in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-06-12 - Adopted [HR0368 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HR0368-Enrolled.html
Reps. Lilly, Garcia, Allor, Chirkun, Cochran, Green, Greig, Hoadley, Howrylak, Kelly, Marino, Phelps, Sabo and Sneller offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 368.
A resolution to declare June 13, 2018, as USCGC Escanaba Day in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, The USCGC Escanaba, a 165’ “A” class cutter, built in Bay City, Michigan in 1932, was named after a city and river in the state of Michigan; and
Whereas, The ship was stationed at Station Grand Haven for duty and service on the Great Lakes from 1932 to 1941. It provided lifesaving, light ice breaking, and law enforcement services to the residents and visitors to the area. The cutter saved the crew of the lake freighter SS Henry Cort after the freighter ran aground at Muskegon Michigan, as well as the lives of many others; and
Whereas, A future USCG Commandant, Admiral Edwin J. Roland (Ret.) served as gunnery officer and navigation officer from 1932-1934; and
Whereas, The people of Grand Haven and the surrounding area grew to admire and respect the crew and ship, as they became a part of the Grand Haven community; and
Whereas, The ship was deployed to the North Atlantic to provide escort protection as part of the Greenland Patrol at the outbreak of WWII in 1941. She provided search and rescue and weather station patrols and deployed the first known use of the “Rescue Swimmer” saving many lives; and
Whereas, On June 13, 1943, at 0517 hours while on patrol in the North Atlantic, a major explosion occurred on board the ship resulting in the loss of the ship and 103 officers and men and only 2 survived; and
Whereas, The loss of the ship deeply affected the people of the Grand Haven community. One million dollars in bonds was raised for a new ship. They placed the mast and lifeboat in the park named in honor of the ship and the officers and men who served aboard her and hold a memorial service in Escanaba Park every year during the Coast Guard Festival; and
Whereas, The USCGC Escanaba (WMEC-907) faithfully carries on the traditions and duties of its namesake; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare June 13, 2018, as USCGC Escanaba Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the City of Ferrysburg, the City of Grand Haven, and the Village of Spring Lake with our highest esteem.
