CHAPTER 464
FORMERLY
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11
HONORING THE LATE GENERAL RICHARD H. ELLIS, A NATIVE OF LAUREL, DELAWARE, FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND APPOINTING A COMMITTEE TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO COMMISSION AN ARTIST TO DO A PORTRAIT OF GENERAL RICHARD H. ELLIS TO BE HUNG IN THE GALLERY OF LEGISLATIVE NALL AMONG OTHER DISTINGUISHED DELAWARE MILITARY HEROES.
WHEREAS, General Richard H. Ellis, a native of Laurel, rose to the highest levels of command in the United States Air Force and also by designation of President Reagan, became U. S. Commissioner on the US-USSR Consultative Commission with the rank of ambassador following his retirement from the service; and
WHEREAS, General Ellis was an, American hero in both World War II and the Korean Conflict receiving the Distinguished Service Cross; the Distinguished Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters; the Silver Star; the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart, and numerous other honors from the grateful people of the United States and many foreign governments; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished and brilliant military career, which ended with his retirement from active duty as a Four Star General in 1981, he was Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe and Commander in Chief, United States Air Forces in Europe and Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command; and
WHEREAS, Richard Ellis was also a practicing member of the Delaware Bar with offices in Wilmington between his service in World War II and his recall to active duty in 1950 for Service in the Korean Conflict; and
WHEREAS, General Ellis flew more than 200 combat missions during his illustrious military career and was credited with shooting down great numbers of enemy aircraft; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the State of Delaware honor and cherish the memory of this outstanding native son who died March 28, 1989 at the age of 69.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 135TH General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that a special committee be authorized to commission a portrait of General Ellis which, when completed, will be hung with appropriate ceremonies, in the gallery of Delaware military heroes in Legislative Hall.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Committee will be chaired by former Governor Elbert N. Carvel and will also include, at his request, Secretary of State, Michael E. Harkins and Ned Davis of Dover, also a native of Laurel, who will raise funds to pay for the portrait from the private sector with the good will and approval of the General Assembly and Governor Michael N. Castle; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee, upon completion of the portrait, in consultation with the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, will arrange appropriate ceremonies for its dedication and that the widow of General Ellis, the former Margaret Parry Wolcott, his three children and other members of the family, will all be invited to attend as well as such other members of the United States government and military services and citizens of the State of Delaware that are deemed appropriate for an occasion of this magnitude, honoring one of the bravest and most distinguished Delawareans in the glorious history of our Statehood.
Approved April 10, 1990.