2020 -- H 8074

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LC005473

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN RHODE ISLAND

AND URGING THE ADOPTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN RHODE

ISLAND’S K-12 SCHOOLS, STARTING IN THE 2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Williams, Almeida, Abney, and Filippi

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island holds a unique place in history with the establishment of its

Royal Charter on July 8, 1663, that marked the first time that a sovereign leader signed a charter

guaranteeing that individuals within a society were free to practice the religion of their choice

without any interference from the government; and

     WHEREAS, As Rhode Island became the first American Colony to declare its

independence from Great Britain on May 4, 1776, it was also at the same time in history, one of

the most active slave ports in British North America transporting thousands of enslaved Africans

to the Colony, with the first documented slave ship arriving at Newport in 1696; and

     WHEREAS, The contributions of African Heritage people from all walks of life and their

endeavors to learn and thrive throughout history and make unforgettable marks in our State and

Nation as artists, scientists, educators, business people, influential thinkers, members of the faith

community, athletes, and political and governmental leaders, reflects the greatness of the State of

Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The 1696 Historical Commission was signed into law on July 1, 2014, and

was tasked with developing a comprehensive African American history curriculum for Rhode

Island public schools from kindergarten through grade 12 and said Commission led by our

Secretary of State and comprised of scholars, civic and educational leaders, developed and

submitted a comprehensive report that included units of instruction and educational resources;

and

     WHEREAS, As an important resource for building history curriculum, the Rhode Island

Black Heritage Society, the oldest African Heritage society, has an extensive collection of

documents, photographs, and artifacts from the African Heritage people of Rhode Island and

works in collaboration with other historical societies across the State; and

     WHEREAS, With the unifying call for Black Lives Matter, racial reconciliation, social

justice, and citizen equity being reflected across the state, nation and world, the establishment of

an African Heritage history curriculum in Rhode Island is long overdue; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island House of Representatives, remaining hopeful and

confident about the path ahead, and to acknowledge the courageous fight for the rights, liberties,

and freedoms for all Americans, encourages all citizens, educators, students, and families across

the city and state to learn about the heritage and achievements of African Americans through

appropriate educational programs and learning experiences; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That this House urges every school district in Rhode Island to include in

its curriculum a unit of instruction on African American history, utilizing, but not being limited

to, the materials collected and disseminated by the Department of Education in collaboration with

state historical institutions, commencing with the 2022-2023 school year; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this this Resolution to all other Rhode Island cities, towns and

school committees urging them to adopt similar resolutions and support this worthwhile learning

endeavor.

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