Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 591

FORMERLY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2

IN MEMORY OF DELAWAREANS DR. JAMES M. CHASE, DAVID GAMBERG, TURNER B. HASTINGS, MATHEW E. MITTEN, AND JAMES G. SMITH, JR. WHO DIED IN A PLANE CRASH IN VERMONT.

WHEREAS, on January 16, 1971 A.D., the lifeless bodies of five prominent Dover men and the wreckage of the small plane in which they crashed were found on a desolate Vermont mountainside; and

WHEREAS, the loss of these five beloved individuals has cast a pall over the whole State of Delaware and, in particular, the community in which they lived; and

WHEREAS, the feelings of hundreds of Delawareans who were friends of one or more of the crash victims seem to be expressed best in the words of Dover resident, Al Hedgecock, a friend of all five: "In the fourteen years I have been a Delawarean, I can think of no greater blow at the vitals of this area than that which happened last Friday on a snowy hillside in Vermont to five of the most forceful young leaders of our community. They were bound together in a love of sports and the great outdoors. Several were key movers in the industries and employment they developed. One was rapidly becoming the most widely respected area physician of his generation. Several were responsible for the beginning of the Rehoboth Beach Sailing Club and the new Indoor Tennis Association. All were interested in young people and the future of their city. Matt Mitten, Jimmy Smith, Turner Hastings, Jim Chase, Dave Gamberg. The toll sounds incredible. And to the families and many friends they leave behind, it is . . . ! These were bold men, in ideas and works. And they were friends ... to each other, and to me . . and to you. They will be gravely missed. But marks of their boldness will be evident to all of us for many years."; and

WHEREAS, the members of the 126th General Assembly and the Governor of Delaware wish to express their sorrow over the

loss of these five gentlemen who contributed so much in so many ways during their days on this earth.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the 126th General Assembly and the Governor of Delaware extend their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the Messrs. Jim Chase, Dave Gamberg, Turner Hastings, Matt Mitten, and Jimmy Smith, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the text of this Resolution be spread upon the Journals of both the Senate and House of Representatives of the 126th General Assembly and that copies of this resolution be sent to the families of each of the five men herein remembered respectfully and prayerfully.

Approved January 27, 1971.