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Pearl Harbor Survivors Association

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The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association ( PHSA ), founded in 1958 and recognized by the United States Congress in 1985, was a World War II veterans organization whose members were on Pearl Harbor or three miles or less offshore during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , on December 7, 1941. The PHSA was officially disbanded at the end of December 2011 with a membership of about 2,700 members nationally.

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62-611: The PHSA, which was incorporated in the State of Missouri, held Federal Charter 99-119 under Title 36 of the United States Code . The PHSA National Insignia bearing the name Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was registered at the U.S. Patent Office . The PHSA's motto read: The first meeting of what would become the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (PHSA) took place on December 7, 1954 at

124-548: A bandstand stood at 405 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater, where the community gathered to listen to music. The names of locals serving in World War I were etched on the wall of the adjacent Clearwater Sun building; this "Panel of Honor" was obscured when the original Capitol Theatre was built but uncovered when the newspaper building was torn down in 2013. The Capitol Theatre opened March 21, 1921. It

186-454: A charter does not include congressional oversight . Clearwater, Florida Clearwater is a city and the county seat of Pinellas County, Florida , United States, west of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg . To the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and to the southeast lies Tampa Bay . As of the 2020 census , the city had a population of 117,292. It is the smallest of

248-493: A congressional charter. With few exceptions, most corporations since created by Congress are not federally chartered but are simply created as District of Columbia corporations. Some charters create corporate entities, akin to being incorporated at the federal level. Examples of such charters are the Federal Reserve Bank , Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation , Civil Air Patrol , Fannie Mae , Freddie Mac , and

310-406: A crab trap. The aquarium is also home to other dolphins, otters, pelicans, nurse sharks, and turtles among several species of fish and other marine life. CMA also assists in animal strandings and other emergencies regarding sea life. Animals that have stranded are rehabilitated, and if possible, released back into the wild once they have made a full recovery. It has been featured as the main setting of

372-651: A four-year term. The council is responsible for setting policies and making decisions on local government issues including tax rates, annexations, property code variances and large contract awards. The city manager and city council are supported by the various city departments. Tampa International Airport serves Clearwater and the rest of the Tampa Bay Area as the primary means of air travel. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport has also seen its usage increase. The city owns Clearwater Air Park . The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus service

434-583: A member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was present in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and who participated in combat operations that day against Japanese military forces attacking Hawaii. A person who was killed or wounded in that attack shall be deemed to have participated in the combat operations." The presentation of the medals was to be as "close as feasible to the fiftieth anniversary of

496-589: Is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority, and activities of a group . Congress has issued corporate charters since 1791 and the laws that issue them are codified in Title 36 of the United States Code . The first charter issued by Congress was for the First Bank of the United States . The relationship between Congress and an organization so recognized

558-597: Is currently Pinellas County's only general public transit. The service offers approximately 35 local routes, two express routes which cross Tampa Bay to the east, and a beach trolley that runs north and south along the county's roughly 25-mile-long (40 km) chain of barrier islands . The city was formerly served by Amtrak at Clearwater station . The Church of Scientology 's "spiritual headquarters" are located in downtown Clearwater. The Church refers to Clearwater as its "Flag Land Base". The Church of Scientology owns several historical landmark buildings including

620-523: Is largely symbolic, and is intended to lend the organization the legitimacy of being officially sanctioned by the U.S. government . Congress does not oversee or supervise organizations it has so chartered, aside from receiving a yearly financial statement. Until the District of Columbia was granted the ability to issue corporate charters in the late 1800s, corporations operating in the District required

682-545: Is part of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative which seeks to provide patrons with access to information and programs to benefit the community. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a small non-profit aquarium . Opening in 1972 on Clearwater Beach, the aquarium is most famous for Winter the dolphin. Rescued as a calf in 2005, Winter was one of the first dolphins to have been fitted with a prosthetic tail after losing it due to entanglement in

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744-568: The Belleview Hotel . Groundbreaking was December 6, 1920. The "New Capitol Theatre" was damaged in a storm on October 26, 1921 (so it had been completed). A theatre organ was installed in 1922, to accompany silent films with music. The organ was made and installed by the Robert Morton Organ Company . Donald Roebling was a frequent patron, having his own double seat installed at the theatre. The theatre

806-740: The Disabled American Veterans , Veterans of Foreign Wars , National Trust for Historic Preservation , the United States Olympic Committee , the National Conference on Citizenship , and NeighborWorks America . American University , Gallaudet University , Georgetown University , George Washington University , Howard University , and the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) are the only congressionally chartered universities in

868-621: The Fort Harrison Hotel and the Clearwater Bank Building. As of 2019, Scientology had purchased so much property in downtown Clearwater that it owned most of the commercial buildings in the downtown core, many of which remained vacant. According to an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times , "The [Church of Scientology], its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in

930-910: The National Recording Preservation Foundation under the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, and the American GI Forum , the Korean War Veterans Association, the Military Officers Association of America , and the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition in 1998, 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively under laws passed with the sole purpose of issuing the charters. The granting of

992-530: The Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Medal , is a 1.5 inch bronze medal (no attached ribbon) which was established by the United States Congress on November 5, 1990 (P.L. 101-510, 104 Stat. 1721) in memory of the 50th anniversary in 1991 of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The medal was issued from February 1, 1991 to December 6, 1993. The circular medal was not designed for or allowed to be worn or displayed on uniforms etc. Requirements: "a person must have been

1054-544: The Pearl Harbor-Gram . After the national reunion was held in Hawaii, December 4–10, 1966 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the national reunion was to be held bi-annually on even numbered years only (the state chapters reunions would be on the odd number years). The organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri and the PHSA National Insignia

1116-1066: The Tennessee Valley Authority . Other national-level groups with such charters are the American Chemical Society , American Legion , American Red Cross , the Boy Scouts of America , the Girl Scouts of the USA , Little League Baseball Inc , the National Academy of Public Administration , The National Academy of Sciences , the National Ski Patrol , the National FFA Organization , the National Safety Council , National Park Foundation ,

1178-568: The USO . Congress has chartered about 100 fraternal or patriotic groups. Eligibility for a charter is based on a group’s activities, whether they are unique, and whether or not they are in the public interest . If this is the case, a bill to grant a charter is introduced in Congress and must be voted into law. There had been questions regarding the federal government's power to manage corporations which have received charters. Amid dissatisfaction with

1240-537: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 39.2 square miles (101.6 km ), of which 25.6 square miles (66.2 km ) is land and 13.7 square miles (35.4 km ) (34.86%) is water. Clearwater's downtown has been undergoing major redevelopment in recent years. General beautification has been done along with completion of several high-rise condos and a large marina. New bars, restaurants, and other amenities are coming to

1302-530: The 1970s under the code-name Project Normandy , the Church of Scientology began targeting Clearwater in order to "establish area control" of the city and county. The operations were exposed in a Pulitzer Prize winning series of articles in the Clearwater Sun . Gabe Cazares , who was the mayor of Clearwater at the time, went so far as to call it "the occupation of Clearwater" and later characterized it as

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1364-703: The American family movie series Dolphin Tale . BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater is the spring training home of Major League Baseball 's Philadelphia Phillies , as well as their Low-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers . Moccasin Lake Nature Park is a 51-acre nature preserve (21 ha) with a 5-acre lake (2.0 ha) owned and operated by the city. The preserve also features

1426-632: The City Commission for additional space. As a result of segregation , the Clearwater Public Library was for White patrons only from its founding in 1911 to the mid-twentieth century. In 1950, the City Commission agreed to the building of the North Greenwood library. Designed by Architect Eugene Beach, the new library allowed access for the city's African American population to many information sources. This library

1488-639: The Clearwater Library Association opened a subscription library on the second floor of the local People's Bank. Its popularity and support led to the request of $ 10,000 from the Carnegie Foundation to build a public library . The building was designed by Tampa architect F.J. Kennard. In its first year, the library had over 1,277 visitors and 2,792 books borrowed. As a vacation town, the library provided free access to materials for all residents and winter visitors. During

1550-540: The Del Camino Room in Gardena, California where eleven survivors of the attack gathered to remember their fallen comrades and dear friends. It was at this first meeting that those in attendance swore that they would make the commemoration an annual event. At the association's official founding dinner in 1958 with thirteen survivors present, the eleven survivors who were present at the 1954 meeting were proclaimed

1612-568: The Depression, the Clearwater Public Library faced many of the same threats seen at other libraries seen throughout the United States. This includes increased patron usage and dwindling budget. In the 1940s, the Clearwater library increased its staff from three assistants to five assistants. The library's collection also grew from 18,047 to over 100,000. To account for this increase, the Librarian and Board President Traver Bayly made an appeal to

1674-532: The Founding Fathers of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Those eleven survivors were: Clarence Bonn, Mark Ferris, George Haines Jr. Edward Kronberger, Robert Kronberger, Samuel Kronberger, Raymond LeBer, George Schafer, Louis P. Smith, Ed Steffa, and James C. Taneyhill. Following the 1958 meeting, the members began searching for other military survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack. A dinner of

1736-586: The Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, which offers environmental education classes, programs and camps. The Center features live rehabilitated birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic wildlife. It opened in 1982. The City of Clearwater contains five pools: Ross Norton, North Greenwood, Morningside, the Long Center, and Clearwater Beach. Swim lessons are offered throughout the year to patrons, and

1798-514: The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association constitution was presented and ratified by the members. Mark Ferris, who initiated the group's first meeting in 1954, after visiting a reunion held for members of the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48) , was chosen as the PHSA's first national president. Also, an official PHSA prayer to be said at association reunions was adopted. In October 1964, the PHSA issued its first quarterly newsletter to its members named

1860-406: The United States. More common is a charter that recognizes a group already incorporated at the state level. These mostly honorific charters tend "to provide an 'official' imprimatur to their activities, and to that extent it may provide them prestige and indirect financial benefit". Groups that fall into this group are usually veterans’ groups, fraternal groups, youth groups or patriotic groups like

1922-410: The area was known as Clear Water Harbor. The name "Clear Water" is thought to have come from a fresh water spring flowing from near where the old City Hall building was located. There were many other freshwater springs that dotted the bluff, many in the bay or harbor itself. Originally part of Hillsborough County , the first road joining Clearwater and Tampa was built in 1849, which dramatically reduced

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1984-459: The area, renamed the "Cleveland Street District". Royalty Theatre is also slated to be renovated. Clearwater has a humid subtropical climate . Clearwater is far enough south that it lies in the broad transition zone from subtropical to tropical climates. As such, Clearwater is mostly warm to hot year round, with few nights of frost. Most of the annual rainfall comes in the wet season (June through September), when daily thundershowers erupt due to

2046-431: The attack on Pearl Harbor." On September 23, 1996, Congress authorized (P.L. 104-201, 110 Stat. 2654) anyone who would have qualified for the medal other than the requirement for membership in the Armed Forces to receive the award (i.e. civilians who were not killed or injured but can show that they were present in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and participated in combat operations against the attack). In both instances, there

2108-533: The bay, replacing the former drawbridge ; the connecting road is part of State Road 60 and is called Clearwater Memorial Causeway . During World War II , Clearwater became a major training base for US troops destined for Europe and the Pacific. Virtually every hotel in the area, including the Belleview Biltmore and the Fort Harrison Hotel , was used as a barracks for new recruits. Vehicle traffic

2170-427: The center of downtown. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. ...Seventy-three percent of the property is [now] tax-exempt for religious purposes." By 2024, the count was up to 210 parcels purchased since 2017, including the office tower where city government offices were located, and leaving only seven remaining commercial property owners who are not associated with Scientology or government. Beginning in

2232-703: The corporate association as of December 31 of that year. The Pearl Harbor-Gram closed its membership in February 2012. However, informal social and local activities involving Pearl Harbor survivors were to continue. Peak membership for the association was 18,000 members nationally and over 70,000 members worldwide. A proposal was introduced at the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association National Reunion in Clearwater, Florida , on December 6, 1965, for an organization of

2294-770: The descendants of Pearl Harbor survivors. This was followed by a second proposal during the association's following reunion at New York City on December 6, 1970, where it was approved. The first chapter (Sunshine State Chapter 1) of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors (SDPHS) was founded on December 6, 1972, in St. Petersburg, Florida . On October 20, 1973, the SDPHS became an independent nationwide organization. The non-profit organization has over 3,500 members in 50 states and foreign countries. The group also allows associate membership. The Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal , also known as

2356-438: The first mayor. The area's popularity as a vacation destination grew after railroad magnate Henry B. Plant built a sprawling Victorian resort hotel named Belleview Biltmore just south of Clearwater in 1897. By the early 1900s, Clearwater's population had grown to around 400, ballooning to nearly 1,000 in the winter. Clearwater's oldest existing newspaper, the Clearwater Sun , was first published on March 14, 1914. Clearwater

2418-780: The group on December 7, 1960, led to the first Pearl Harbor Survivors Association National Reunion at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California where over 300 survivors joined in commemoration of the event on December 7, 1961. President John F. Kennedy sent his personal representative to this convention. Over 1,000 survivors attended the PHSA National Reunion held at the Lafayette Hotel in Long Beach, California on December 7–8, 1962. At this meeting,

2480-697: The majority of property in the Clearwater downtown core district. Present-day Clearwater was originally the home of the Tocobaga people. Around 1835, the United States Army began construction of Fort Harrison , named after William Henry Harrison , as an outpost during the Seminole Wars . The fort was located on a bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor, which later became part of an early 20th-century residential development called Harbor Oaks. University of South Florida archaeologists excavated

2542-517: The median household income for Clearwater was $ 50,335, which is below the average for both the United States as well as the state of Florida. In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by CBS Money Watch. The Clearwater Public Art and Design Program, adopted by City Council in 2005, is funded through a 1% allocation on all city capital improvement projects valued at more than $ 500,000. The program commissions an average of 2–3 new projects per year. Pre-Capitol Theatre,

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2604-409: The median income for a household in the city was $ 47,070, and the median income for a family was $ 46,228. 15.9% of the population fell below the poverty line. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 107,685 people, 46,264 households, and 26,317 families residing in the city. As of 2000, speakers of English as their first language were 84.43% of residents, Spanish as a mother tongue

2666-554: The pools have both a recreation summer pool league and the Clearwater Aquatics Team. These pools have participated in the World's Largest Swim Lesson. The City of Clearwater is administered by a council-manager form of government, and the city manager serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of the city. The Clearwater City Council comprises the mayor and four council members, each of whom serves

2728-580: The prior day-long commute between the cities. During the American Civil War , Union gunboats repeatedly raided the community's supplies, as most of the able-bodied men were away fighting for the Confederate Army . The town began developing in the late nineteenth century, prompted by Peter Demens ' completion of the first passenger railroad line into the city in 1888. Clearwater was incorporated in 1891, with James E. Crane becoming

2790-555: The site in 1962 after Mark Wyllie discovered an underground ammunition bunker while planting a tree in his yard. The area's population grew after the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842 offered 160 acres (0.65 km ) to anyone who would bear arms and cultivate the land. Early settlers included the Stevens, Stevenson, Sever and McMullen families, who claimed and farmed large tracts of land. Prior to 1906,

2852-540: The strong solar heating. The dry season starts in October and runs through May, at which time the weather is sunny, dry, and there is little change in daily weather. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 117,292 people, 48,211 households, and 27,233 families residing in the city. In 2019, the city's population was spread out, with 18.7% under the age of 18, 59.4% between the age of 18 and 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. Between 2014 and 2018,

2914-886: The system, the subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee decided not to consider applications for further charters in 1992. However, Congress issued corporate charters for the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety , the Fleet Reserve Association , and the Air Force Sergeants Association under the National Defense Authorization Acts for the 1996, 1997, and 1998 fiscal years respectively,

2976-555: The theatre with film classics and reduced prices. However, the theatre closed its doors on October 28, 1980. Royalty Theater Company signed leases with the Taylor family in February 1981, when it then became known as the Royalty Theater (Clearwater, Florida). The building was renovated with Ron Winter of Winter Associates as the contractor and Scott Musheff as the architect. During the renovations, Bill Neville's murdered body

3038-579: The three principal cities in the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater metropolitan area, most commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay area . Clearwater Beach is part of the city of Clearwater, but is separated from it by the Intracoastal Waterway . Cleveland Street is one of the city's historic avenues, and the city includes BayCare Ballpark and Coachman Park. The Church of Scientology owns

3100-403: The west bank of the Mississippi River near New Orleans , Louisiana. The arriving members were greeted by many naval officers including Admiral Jeremy "Mike" Boorda , the Chief of Naval Operations . The members were introduced to the over 600 other military and civilian honorees in attendance who also were invited. At the 1998 PHSA's National Convention in Las Vegas , a PHSA Scholarship program

3162-477: Was 8.55%, Greek accounted for 1.16%, French made up 1.00% of speakers, German at 0.97%, and Italian speakers comprised 0.85% of the population. Clearwater's economy employs nearly 50,400 people. Major employers include Morton Plant Hospital , Tech Data , and Honeywell . Employment in Clearwater grew 1.84% from 2015 to 2016 with 50,345 people in the workforce. The most common job groups include Service, Sales & Office, Science, and Business. As of 2020,

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3224-480: Was a 12-month certification window, therefore, the award is no longer issued. In both instances the next-of-kin of deceased persons eligible for the award were authorized to apply (using DD 2567 form) for the medal (one medal per eligible person). Front side (Battleship): REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR - DECEMBER 7, 1941 - ACT OF CONGRESS 1990 Back side (Eagle): FOR THOSE WHO SERVED - "A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY" Congressional charter A congressional charter

3286-433: Was adopted. A scholarship was open to any U.S. citizen who is a direct descendant of a PHSA member or deceased member, including step or adopted children. On December 7, 2011, during the 70th anniversary ceremony in Hawaii of the attack on Pearl Harbor (" Pearl Harbor Day "), William Muehleib, the President of the PHSA, announced that due to the ages and health of the 2,700 members, the executive board had decided to terminate

3348-502: Was built by Senator-elect John Stansel Taylor . The theater's architect was Lester Avery and the contractor was John D. Phillipoff. Avery is known for his architecture in Miami . Philipoff also built the Coachman Building (1916), the Donald Roebling Estate in Belleair (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979), the old Pinellas County Courthouse (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992), other historical homes which have been saved, and did work at

3410-444: Was found in the balcony. The theatre remained in the Taylor family estate until it was sold in 1996. In July 2008, the building went into foreclosure. In January 2009, the City of Clearwater and Ruth Eckerd Hall joined forces to purchase the theatre (renamed Capitol Theatre) as well as the neighboring Pat Lokey building as part of a renovation and revitalization of the historic Capitol Theater . Fowler Associates Architects, Inc.

3472-419: Was made possible by the Greater Clearwater Public Library Foundation, Inc. which formed in 1984. As a part of the library's Centennial Celebration, a project is commencing to add makerspaces to the libraries. The Main library's makerspace is the "Studios at Main" and targets creative arts making. The Clearwater Public Library System is a contributor to the Pinellas Memory Project. This system of libraries

3534-532: Was managed by various movie companies (EJ Sparks, Paramount, ABC-Southeastern Theatres, and Plitt Southern) and played the most recent movies of the day. The theatre also offered vaudeville on Friday nights in the 1930s. Headliners included Sally Rand , Fred Stone and his daughter, and Lum and Abner (of radio). The theatre was renovated in 1962. The Morton theatre organ was most likely removed during this renovation. When Plitt Southern did not renew their contract in 1979, Bill Neville and Jerry Strain tried to save

3596-411: Was registered in Washington D.C. An official PHSA flag containing the PHSA's national insignia which shows an American bald eagle in flight holding a large bomb in its claws within a large circle, was made available for association members in April 1966. On February 24, 1996, 73 PHSA members attended the christening and launching of the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) at the Avondale Shipyard located on

3658-482: Was regularly stopped for companies of soldiers marching through downtown, and nighttime blackouts to confuse potential enemy bombers were common practice. Pre-development Sand Key was used as a target by U.S. Army Air Corps fighter-bombers for strafing and bombing practice. The approximate coordinate for the City of Clearwater is located at 27°58′25″N 82°45′51″W  /  27.973644°N 82.764271°W  / 27.973644; -82.764271 . According to

3720-437: Was reincorporated, this time as a city, on May 27, 1915, and was designated the county seat for Pinellas County, which broke from Hillsborough County in 1912. In 1915, a bridge was built across Clearwater Harbor, joining the city with Clearwater Beach to the west. Clearwater Beach, although located on a separate barrier island, belongs to the city of Clearwater and fronts the Gulf of Mexico. A new, much higher bridge now arcs over

3782-532: Was renovated in 1984. The new Main library was rebuilt beginning in 2000. It opened in May 2004. As the population continued to increase throughout the late twentieth century, the library system continued to grow. The Clearwater Public Library System now includes five libraries: Clearwater Main, Countryside, North Greenwood, Beach, and East. In recent years, the Clearwater Public Library System has become increasingly digital, providing patrons with access to computers, online databases, and an online library catalog. This

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3844-420: Was selected for the renovation of the Capitol Theatre. The $ 10 million renovation and expansion began in 2012 and was completed in 2013. In 2019, a $ 2.5 million donation renamed the building the Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre. In 1911, the city of Clearwater witnessed a vast population increase as well as acquiring telephones, electricity, paved streets and an ice factory. It is during this time that

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