Legislation Which Honors Memory of Jewish Chaplains Who Died Serving Their Country Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. – Efforts to honor the memory of the Jewish chaplains who died while serving the United States of America took a step forward Monday as the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 1627) to establish requirements for the placement of monuments in Arlington National Cemetery.  H.R. 1627 includes language from a resolution (H. Con. Res. 12) co-sponsored by U.S. Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19), which calls for a memorial to be placed on Chaplains Hill at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the memory of the Jewish chaplains who died while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States.

“While Chaplains Hill at Arlington National Cemetery contains memorials to chaplains of several different faiths who died serving their country, it lacks a memorial to honor the 13 Jewish chaplains who gave their lives in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Our nation’s recognition of these true American heroes is long overdue,” said Congressman Platts. “As a life-long resident of York, I am extremely proud that Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, one of the heroic “Four Chaplains” who gave their lives saving others aboard the torpedoed USS Dorchester in World War II, was once a Rabbi at the Beth Israel Synagogue and an active member of the York community.”

The proposed memorial would be paid for with private funds.  H.R. 1627 now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.