2015 -- H 5990

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LC002246

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

WELCOMING GEORGE MENDONSA TO THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Abney, Malik, Reilly, and DeSimone

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In the words of Tom Brokaw, "When the United States entered World War

II, the U.S. government turned to ordinary Americans and asked of them extraordinary service,

sacrifice, and heroics..."; and

     WHEREAS, Members of America’s Armed Forces have and continue to face many

challenges during times of war and conflict, risking their lives and making great sacrifices in

order to protect our precious freedoms and liberties. George Mendonsa of Middletown, was one

of the thousands of these brave men and women who served this nation with honor and valor

during the Second World War; and

     WHEREAS, In the line of duty, on foreign soil, our service men and women face

unimaginable challenges of endurance and courage, and their return to this country and to their

homes and loved ones is a joy almost impossible for those of us who have not lived through their

tribulations to imagine; and

     WHEREAS, On August 14th of 1945, hundreds of returning military personnel were

gathered in the middle of New York’s Times Square celebrating V-J Day and the end of a war

that had taken a great toll on them and this country. In the midst of their celebrations, George

Mendonsa, a twenty-two year old Navy sailor, clutched a passing young dental assistant and

kissed her in grand Hollywood fashion. Their happiness was palpable and spontaneous, and

perfectly captured on film by a nearby photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt; and

     WHEREAS, That iconic photo and the overwhelming elation and emotion it captured,

has become as all-American as mom's apple pie or a night at the ballpark. It has become a

testament to our nation and the people of this nation's resiliency and our love for life and liberty;

and now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby welcomes George Mendonsa to the Rhode Island State House and

extends our deepest gratitude for his service to this country. We furthermore welcome Lawrence

Verria, author of "The Kissing Sailor," and memorialize the 70th Anniversary of Alfred

Eisenstaedt's famous World War II photograph; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mr. George Mendonsa and Mr. Lawrence

Verria.

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