HR 9063

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing the late Congressman Charles
3	Edward Bennett.
4
5	WHEREAS, elected in 1948, United States Representative
6	Charles Edward Bennett, who died September 6, 2003, was the
7	state's longest-serving Congressman, representing the
8	Jacksonville area for a total of more than 44 years under nine
9	presidents, serving as Dean and Chairman of Florida's
10	Congressional Delegation, and supporting many initiatives that
11	benefited Florida and its residents, and
12	WHEREAS, having enlisted in the United States Army in 1941,
13	Charles E. Bennett served with distinction until his discharge
14	as a captain in 1947 after receiving the Silver Star, the Bronze
15	Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Philippine Legion of
16	Honor and Gold Cross for gallantry in action as a wartime leader
17	of Philippine Scouts, and
18	WHEREAS, known as an early advocate for ethical reform in
19	Congress, Congressman Bennett sponsored legislation creating the
20	House Ethics Committee, becoming its first chairman, and in 1954
21	he sponsored the bill that added the words "In God We Trust" to
22	the nation's coins and currency, and
23	WHEREAS, Congressman Bennett was the second-ranking
24	Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, served as
25	Chairman of the Seapower and Strategic Materials Subcommittee,
26	and championed legislation to provide ships for the United
27	States Navy, increase military pay, improve military housing,
28	and reform military justice, and
29	WHEREAS, a cosponsor of the Americans With Disabilities
30	Act, Congressman Bennett was himself disabled after contracting
31	polio as a guerrilla fighter in the Philippines during World War
32	II and thereafter was confined to a wheelchair or the use of a
33	cane, and
34	WHEREAS, in addition to his legislative service,
35	Congressman Bennett authored numerous books on Florida history
36	that have added to the understanding and appreciation of the
37	early history of the state, and he was instrumental in creating
38	the Fort Caroline National Memorial and the Timucuan Ecological
39	and Historical Preserve, and
40	WHEREAS, Charles Edward Bennett was a patriot who will long
41	be remembered for his principled representation of his
42	constituents, his impeccable voting record, his uncompromising
43	ethics and advocacy for ethical reforms in Congress, and his
44	leadership in helping to ensure a strong national defense as the
45	cornerstone of national security, NOW, THEREFORE,
46
47	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
48	Florida:
49
50	That the Florida House of Representatives honors the late
51	Congressman Charles Edward Bennett for outstanding service to
52	the people of this state and the United States.
53	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
54	presented to Mrs. Dorothy Jean Bennett, widow of Congressman
55	Charles E. Bennett, as a tangible token of the sentiments
56	expressed herein.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.