2015 -- S 0852

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LC002473

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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

HONORING BANNISTER HOUSE ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY AND RESPECTFULLY

REQUESTING THAT GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO CONVENE MEETING AMONGST

ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP BANNISTER HOUSE OPEN

     Introduced By: Senators Metts, Pichardo, Nesselbush, Algiere, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: April 16, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The Bannister House origins began in 1890, when a group of citizens

gathering at the Meeting Street Methodist Church were concerned about the living conditions of

elderly African-American women. Mrs. Christiana Bannister, the wife of African-American

landscape artist Edward Bannister, sought out aid from donors to support this cause. With land on

the East Side of Providence donated by the Shepherd Family, a building with twelve residents

was opened on April 16, 1890. Thus began Bannister House’s legacy of providing care to those

no longer able to care for themselves; and

     WHEREAS, By the 1960s it became clear that Bannister House had to expand in order to

meet the increasing needs of the elderly population. Former United States Senator John Chafee

chaired a fundraising campaign and with land donated by Ebenezer Baptist Church, a new multi-

level building was opened on April 27, 1974, on 135 Dodge Street in Providence; and

     WHEREAS, Bannister House, in its 125 year history, has always served those in need,

regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, country of origin, or disability. The staff, which

currently numbers 125 people, has always worked tirelessly and diligently to promote the health

and well-being of all of its residents. Bannister House provides nursing services, social services,

nutritional services, and individual and group activities to all of its residents. In many ways,

Bannister House is one large and loving family with a kind, caring, and compassionate staff

always doing its best to take care of the residents they deeply care about; and

     WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Bannister House currently faces a financial crisis, with deep

debt burdens that threaten to close this much-needed community institution. It is imperative that

Governor Gina Raimondo call a meeting of all stakeholders as soon as possible to explore every

possible way of keeping Bannister House open. Closing Bannister House would potentially

eliminate up to 125 jobs and would force its 95 residents, many of whom are frail and sick, to

find a new place to live and lose treasured friendships; now, therefore be it

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

hereby honors Bannister House on its 125th Anniversary, and respectfully requests that Governor

Gina Raimondo convene a meeting amongst all stakeholders to find a way to keep Bannister

House open; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of

Rhode Island, and Orlando Bisbano, Administrator, Bannister House.

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LC002473

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