2012 -- H 8204

=======

LC02549

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 47TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GASPEE DAYS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Naughton, Cimini, Ferri, and Messier

     Date Introduced: May 24, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

1-1

     WHEREAS, The burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee was one of the boldest and most colorful

1-2

incidents in the War for American Independence. On the night of June 9, 1772, Rhode Islanders

1-3

captured and destroyed the schooner H.M.S. Gaspee, the last of the hated British vessels that had

1-4

harassed Rhode Island since the days of the Stamp Act. This act of defiance off Namquid Point

1-5

was the supreme act of protest against the tyranny of the British Crown, and provided a strong

1-6

impetus to the movement of the American colonies toward independence; and

1-7

     WHEREAS, The burning of the Gaspee led to the formation of the Committee of

1-8

Correspondence, the Continental Congress, and, eventually, to the Declaration of Independence.

1-9

Two hundred and forty years later, the memory of this incendiary act still fires the hearts and

1-10

minds of the residents of historic Pawtuxet Village; and

1-11

     WHEREAS, Legislation was enacted by the General Assembly to designate the second

1-12

Saturday and the following Sunday in the month of June each year as days of special observance

1-13

to be known as Gaspee Days; and

1-14

     WHEREAS, On the afternoon of Thursday, May 3, 2012, the Gaspee Days Committee

1-15

will be launching this year's commemoration of the event with its annual Proclamation Ceremony

1-16

in the State Room; now, therefore be it

1-17

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

1-18

Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the opening of the 47th annual celebration of

1-19

Gaspee Days. This House, moreover, urges the patriotic citizens of the Ocean State to participate

1-20

fully in the festivities honoring this momentous event in the history of our state and the nation;

1-21

and be it further

2-1

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

2-2

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Proclamation Chairman of the Gaspee Days

2-3

Committee.

     

=======

LC02549

=======

H8204