2015 -- S 0191

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LC000658

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF THE QUAHOG CUP, AN

ANNUAL COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BETWEEN BROWN

UNIVERSITY, BRYANT UNIVERSITY, PROVIDENCE COLLEGE, AND THE

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND TO SUPPORT A SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR RHODE

ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WISHING TO ATTEND RHODE ISLAND

COLLEGES

     Introduced By: Senators Conley, Ruggerio, Goodwin, Algiere, and Lynch

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     WHEREAS, The opportunity for higher education is critical to the personal success of

Rhode Island's high school students and our state's economic future; and

     WHEREAS, The expense of higher education continues to be an obstacle to Rhode Island

high school students acquiring the higher education they want and deserve; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island takes great pride in the academic aspirations of

its high school students; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island takes great pride in our local universities

academic and athletic prowess; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island takes great pride in the community of excellence

fostered by its universities; and

     WHEREAS, The education, fishing, and the hospitality and tourism industries are crucial

to the economy of the state; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island takes great pride in our unmatched bounty of

seafood and culinary excellence; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island fisheries supply twenty-five percent of the United States' total

commercial catch of quahogs making this unique clam a cornerstone of Rhode Island's identity

and economy; and

     WHEREAS, Collegiate athletic competition holds a special place in our community, as it

brings people together, fosters relationships, and creates tradition. Collegiate competition is

cathartic, and symbolic. It gives pride to many, and nowhere is this more meaningful and true

than in the thrill of collegiate tournaments; and

     WHEREAS, The incredible influx of money into collegiate athletics often fails to benefit

students; and

     WHEREAS, Our sense of pride and community is never stronger than during the week of

Thanksgiving, when friends and family return home to their Rhode Island roots to give thanks;

and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is home to four Division I college basketball

teams, The Brown University Bears, the Bryant University Bulldogs, The Providence College

Friars, and The University of Rhode Island Rams; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island and its many residents, as well as the proud fans,

students, faculty, administration, and alumni, of Brown University, Bryant University, Providence

College, and the University of Rhode Island, have a special interest in building a great tradition

that will promote our state's pride and its tourism and hospitality industries; now, therefore be it

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

hereby encourages and supports the creation of the Quahog Cup, an annual men's and women's

college basketball tournament to include Brown University, Bryant University, Providence

College, and the University of Rhode Island, to support a scholarship fund for Rhode Island

public school students wishing to attend Rhode Island colleges; 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 President Christina Hull Paxson, Brown

University; President Ronald Machtley, Bryant University; Father Brian J. Shanley, O.P.,

Providence College; and President David M. Dooley, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island;

President.

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