2015 -- S 1003

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LC002911

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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

EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHIES ON THE TRAGIC EVENTS OF JUNE 17, 2015,

IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

     Introduced By: Senators Metts, Paiva Weed, Algiere, Raptakis, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the unspeakable

tragedy that took the lives of six women and three men in a place intended to comfort and uplift,

in the beautiful City of Charleston, South Carolina; and

     WHEREAS, During the evening hours of Wednesday, June 17th, a young white gunman

opened fired at his fellow worshipers at the conclusion of a church Bible study meeting he was

attending at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic African-American

church; and

     WHEREAS, As news of the horrific event made its way through the media, the entire

country looked on, empathizing with the plight of these individuals and their families, and trying

desperately to understand how these nightmarish hate crimes continue to plague our country; and

     WHEREAS, Ultimately, this profoundly heartrending and senseless shooting stole the

life and future of the church's pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was a married father of two

and a very well respected South Carolina State Senator. His sister and seven others attending the

services were also slain; and

     WHEREAS, To the parents who face the unnatural act of burying their children, to the

husbands and wives who are forever separated from their spouses, to the children who have lost

their mother or father, and to a community that has lost nine noble friends, know that the citizens

of Rhode Island, and indeed millions across the country, mourn with you; and

     WHEREAS, These nine individuals enriched the lives of all who knew them and will be

dearly missed. The memory of their lives will live on in the memories of this country and in the

hearts of everyone fortunate enough to have known them; now, therefore be it

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

hereby offers our deepest sympathy and prayers to the families and friends of the nine victims of

this tragic and senseless killing. We furthermore join the people of the world who stand united in

the condemnation of such heinous acts of hatred and prejudice; 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 Honorable Joseph P. Riley Jr., Mayor of

Charleston, South Carolina.

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