Senate adopts resolution honoring Oregon civilians who served on Wake Island in WWII
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Oregon Senate unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution 23 on April 21 to honor 134 Oregonians who served as civilian contractors on Wake Island during World War II and to remember the 31 who died.
The Oregon State Senate on April 21 adopted House Concurrent Resolution 23 to honor Oregon civilians who served on Wake Island during World War II and to recognize those who died in the conflict.
Senator Thatcher presented the resolution and noted that about 134 Oregonians were among civilian contractors on Wake Island; the sponsor said 31 of those civilians died during the conflict, including two killed in action during the December 1941 siege and 11 who were executed while prisoners of war on Oct. 7, 1943. The sponsor listed the names of the Oregon civilians recorded in the research that informed the resolution and said the memorialization would preserve their story.
Guests on the Senate floor included Bonita Gilbert, author of a book that helped document the civilians' service, and family members of former civilian contractors. The sponsor credited Gilbert's research and urged colleagues to adopt the concurrent resolution to ensure the sacrifices of these civilians are not forgotten.
The resolution passed on final adoption by a constitutional majority (roll call recorded as 28 ayes, 0 nays, with one excused). It does not create an appropriation or change federal memorial eligibility; it is a state-level act of recognition.