HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 100

COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT WAR.

WHEREAS, this is the 100th Anniversary of the Great War, the one they called the War to End All Wars; and

WHEREAS, the Great War of 1914-1918 significantly shaped the course of the twentieth century, both at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, although many countries were drawn into the conflict of World War I, the United States maintained a policy of isolationism until April, 1917 when President Wilson addressed Congress appealing for the United States to enter the war as “the world must be made safe for democracy”; and

WHEREAS, four days later, the United States declared war on Germany; and

WHEREAS, more than four million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve in uniform during the Great War; and

WHEREAS, Delaware contributed to the war effort in numerous ways - approximately 10,000 Delaware residents served in the armed forces at home and abroad during World War I, with 43 making the ultimate sacrifice, while an additional 188 were wounded; and

WHEREAS, in 1917, the U.S. Navy established a large naval base at Cape Henlopen and Delaware’s industrial and agricultural production increased to help supply the Allies and civilians in battle-torn areas; and

WHEREAS, Delaware based E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company produced 40 percent of the explosives used by the Allies, including all of the explosives used by the U.S. armed forces; and

WHEREAS, early on November 11th, the Germans met the Allies near Paris to sign an Armistice ending the fighting; and

WHEREAS, the agreement set 11:00am Paris time as the moment the truce would begin – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; and

WHEREAS, Delaware honors those who served in the Great War with memorials throughout the state such as Memorial Hall at University of Delaware, the Todd Memorial at Brandywine Park, and the State of Delaware WWI Memorial at legislative hall.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that we commemorate the 100 ^th anniversary of the Great War.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Great War.