2015 -- S 0191 SUBSTITUTE A

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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

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

CONVENE A TASK FORCE WITH THE GOAL OF ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING

THE CREATION OF THE QUAHOG CUP, AN ANNUAL COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL

TOURNAMENT AMONG BROWN UNIVERSITY, BRYANT UNIVERSITY, PROVIDENCE

COLLEGE, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND TO SUPPORT A SCHOLARSHIP

FUND FOR RHODE ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ATTEND COLLEGES IN

THE STATE

     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 achievement 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 it is rarely more meaningful and true than in

the thrill of collegiate tournaments; and

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

and

     WHEREAS, Our sense of 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, will have a special interest in building a 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 respectfully requests the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to convene a Task Force

with the goal of encouraging and supporting the creation of the Quahog Cup, an annual Collegiate

Basketball Tournament among Brown University, Bryant University, Providence College, and the

University of Rhode Island to support a scholarship fund for Rhode Island High School students

to attend colleges in the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests that the task force includes

representatives from Brown University, Bryant University, Providence College, University of

Rhode Island, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island, the Office

of the Postsecondary Commissioner, a member from the Senate appointed by the Senate

President, and a member from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the

House; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

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