FORMERLY SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO. 31
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF THE 126th GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO THE PARENTS AND RELATIVES OF LIEUTENANT AND MRS. T. KENDALL PHILLIPS, SUBJECTS OF A PROLONGED SEARCH AND SADLY, VICTIMS OF AN AUTO ACCIDENT.
WHEREAS, on January 11, 1972 the lifeless bodies of Lt. and Mrs. T. Kendall Phillips of Laurel, Delaware were discovered in a lake tucked away on the borderline of the States of George and South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the Phillips couple had been the subject of an extensive search by hundreds of law enforcement officials and other concerned citizens, including Mr. and Mrs. Howard Levens, the parents of Mrs. Phillips, in an area ranging from Alabama to Delaware after the disappearance of the Phillips couple on December 19, 1971; and
WHEREAS, thousands of persons prayed for the well-being of the Phillips couple during the tense three-week period in which little information was uncovered concerning their whereabouts after their departure from Alabama for an anticipated Christmas Holiday stay at the Laurel home of Lt. Phillips' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paynter Phillips; and
WHEREAS, sadness pervades the State of Delaware as its citizens acknowledge the news of the discovery of the young Phillips couple, apparent accident victims; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of Delaware, and particularly those in the community of Laurel, mourn the loss of Lt. and Mrs. Phillips, both of whom distinguished themselves in all too short life span upon his earth; and
WHEREAS, Lt. T. Kendall Phillips had been a 1970 honor graduate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware, class valedictorian in his 1965 Laurel High School graduating class,
an outstanding Laurel High School athlete, and more recently, served as Executive Officer of his student training battalion and acclaimed Athlete-of-the-Year at Ft. McClelland, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. T. Kendall Phillips — Susan — vivacious and talented, graduated from Penncrest High School in Lima, Pennsylvania, attended Wesley College in Dover and later the University of Delaware, and was an outstanding representative of the State of Delaware in her role of Miss Delaware of 1967; and
WHEREAS, the members of the 126th General Assembly and the Governor of the State of Delaware wish to join all Delawareans in expressing their sorrow over the loss of this fine young couple.
BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Senate of the 126th General Assembly, jointly with the members of the House of Representatives and the Governor, convey to Mr. and Mrs. Paynter Phillips and Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Levens and their families, and to former State Representative W. Harrison Phillips, a cousin of Lt. Phillips, sincere condolences during this trying period in their lives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the aforementioned Mr. and Mrs. Paynter Phillips of Laurel, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Levens and family of Lima, Pennsylvania, and to former Representative W. Harrison Phillips of Laurel.
Approved February 2, 1972.