2016 -- H 8318

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LC006169

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND CONGRATULATING "SAIL TO PREVAIL" FOR ITS THIRTY-FIVE

YEARS OF EXEMPLARY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO PHYSICALLY AND

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED SAILORS IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Carson, Ruggiero, Naughton, and DeSimone

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Sail To Prevail, originally founded in 1982 as "Shake-A-Leg-Newport", is a

nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to introducing disabled children and adults to the

wonders of the ocean and the beautiful Rhode Island coastline while at the same time helping

them to acquire the skills to overcome life's daily challenges; and

     WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1982, Sail To Prevail, has introduced approximately

17,000 people with disabilities, approximately 1,000 disabled people each summer, to the joys

and rigor of sailing in their specially adapted 20-foot sailboats. Sail To Prevail encourages its

disabled participants to be an active part of this sailing program. Participants steer the boat, learn

how to grind winches, pull lines and trim sails. They also get to compete in a lively and very

competitive ten-race Wednesday Night racing series. Equally important, participants improve

their self-confidence and their leadership skills, and discover just how exhilarating the

camaraderie of teamwork can be while sailing on the ocean; and

     WHEREAS, Sail To Prevail offers a myriad of unique programs designed to introduce

the joy of sailing to populations that might not ordinarily have access to sailing opportunities. Sail

To Prevail serves the physically disabled, the developmentally disabled, people diagnosed with

Autism, individuals undergoing physical therapy, runs A Sail Away From Cancer program for

those battling cancer, serves disabled veterans and conducts Paralympic Training and Regattas.

The U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, has designated Sail To Prevail

with the title of being a Paralympic Sport Club; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby thanks and congratulates the Sail To Prevail organization and

designates it as "Rhode Island's Disabled Sailing Center"; 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 Mr. Paul Callahan, Chief Executive Officer,

Sail To Prevail.

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LC006169

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