2013 -- S 0931

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LC02594

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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

THANKING ALL INVOLVED IN RESTORING THE PORTRAIT OF GOVERNOR

WILLIAM SPRAGUE

     Introduced By: Senators Hodgson, Algiere, Paiva Weed, P Fogarty, and Ottiano

     Date Introduced: May 14, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s 27th Governor, William Sprague, left an indelible impression

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on our history, and his official portrait, measuring twelve feet by five feet, reflects his expansive

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presence in the Ocean State. The restoration of his portrait testifies to the respect that the citizens

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of Rhode Island still feel for him and represents the very best of statewide collaboration; and

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     WHEREAS, A native of Cranston and, later, a resident of Narragansett, Governor

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Sprague emerged from a family of considerable industrial and political prominence. In 1860, at

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age 30, he became the "Boy Governor" of Rhode Island on a Unionist-Republican-Fusion ticket

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and, shortly thereafter, fought in the First Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War. Governor

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Sprague assumed the office of U.S. Senator in 1863, where he served until 1875. In his later

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years, following a tumultuous series of events in his personal life, he found solace on his beloved

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estate, Canonchet, and served as the first Town Council President in Narragansett; and

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     WHEREAS, The years were not kind to Governor Sprague's official portrait, which hung

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in the Rhode Island State House. Exposure to temperature fluctuations, humidity, and light

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resulted in fading and cracks. These imperfections caught the attention of former URI Professor

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Richard Vangermeersch as he conducted research on Rhode Island's famous Civil War Governor;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Professor Vangermeersch is determination to restore Governor Sprague's

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portrait caused him to reach out to and enlist critical support from a dedicated cross-section of art

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lovers and Narragansett residents. Working together, a restoration committee brilliantly raised

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more than $16,000 to fund extensive refurbishing and purchase a new frame for the portrait; and

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     WHEREAS, Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Professor Vangermeersch, Jim Crothers

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of the South County Museum, former Narragansett Town Manager Grady Miller, John Miller, the

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Providence Art Club, the Williamstown Art Restoration Center, the URI community, and many

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other generous individuals and organizations, Governor Sprague once again looks down proudly

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from his steed to greet visitors to the State House; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby expresses its profound gratitude to all of the individuals and organizations who made

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possible the restoration of the portrait of Governor William Sprague. We appreciate all of the

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work that has ensured that Governor Sprague's extraordinary contributions to the Ocean State are

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reflected in his magnificent countenance; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Richard Vangermeersch.

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LC02594

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