2014 -- H 8137

========

LC003010

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 49TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GASPEE DAYS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Trillo, Shekarchi, Ferri, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

Today, more than two hundred and forty years later, the memory of this incendiary act still fires

10

the hearts and minds of the residents of historic Pawtuxet Village; and

11

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

12

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

13

to be known as Gaspee Days; and

14

     WHEREAS, On the afternoon of Thursday, May 1, 2014, the Gaspee Days Committee

15

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

16

in the State Room; now, therefore be it

17

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

18

Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the opening of the 49th annual celebration of

19

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

20

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

 

1

and be it further

2

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

3

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

4

Committee.

========

LC003010

========

 

LC003010 - Page 2 of 2