2022 -- H 7468

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BLACK REGIMENT

MONUMENT COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Carson, Cortvriend, Abney, Donovan,
Williams, Cassar, Ruggiero, Alzate, and Felix

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2022

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 77.2

BLACK REGIMENT MONUMENT COMMISSION

     42-77.2-1. Legislative findings.

     The general assembly finds and declares that:

     (1) The State of Rhode Island has a well-established record of recognizing, honoring,

preserving historic records and sites;

     (2) The State of Rhode Island was a leading force in the American Revolutionary War,

having demonstrated its commitment to an independent form of government from its founding;

     (3) The Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778, in Portsmouth, served to turn the course

of the American Revolutionary War in Rhode Island by forcing the British and Hessian troops to

flee;

     (4) The first Rhode Island Regiment, otherwise known as the "Black Regiment," composed

of freed and enslaved Black men and Native American men, displayed uncommon courage on the

battlefield in the cause of freedom from tyranny;

     (5) The Newport County Branch - NAACP led the way in recognizing the importance of

the role that The Black Regiment played in the victory in the Battle of Rhode Island;

     (6) The Newport County Branch - NAACP has conducted a commemoration ceremony at

the site of the Battle of Rhode Island in recognition of the feats of the Black Regiment every year

since 1968;

     (7) Through the leadership of the Newport County Branch - NAACP, and in collaboration

with state government and federal government, a beautiful monument has been erected at this site,

now known as Patriots Park, in Portsmouth; and

     (8) The Black Regiment Monument has been designated as an historic site, thus requiring

ongoing care and oversight.

     42-77.2-2. Establishment - Purpose.

     There is established the Black Regiment Monument Commission, whose purpose and

function shall be to keep the memory of the Black Regiment alive and to assure the proper upkeep

and maintenance of the Black Regiment Monument and surrounding park grounds.

     42-77.2-3. Membership and annual reports.

     (a) The commission shall be comprised of five (5) members:

     (1) The president of the senate, or designee;

     (2) The speaker of the house of representatives, or designee;

     (3) The president of the Portsmouth town council, or designee;

     (4) The director of the Rhode Island department of environmental management, or

designee; and

     (5) The president of the Newport County Branch - NAACP or designee/member.

     (b) The commission shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and a secretary on a biennial basis.

     (c) The commission shall meet at least two (2) times per year, maintain minutes of

meetings, comply with open meetings laws and standards, and submit an annual report to the

president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

     42-77.2-4. Duties of commission.

     The duties of the commission shall be:

     (1) The commission shall establish standards and procedures consistent with its purpose

and function.

     (2) The commission shall approve of the use of the monument and grounds at Patriots Park,

including all ceremonies, commemorations, lectures, presentations, reenactment, signage,

adornments, and the like.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BLACK REGIMENT

MONUMENT COMMISSION

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     This act would establish the Black Regiment Monument Commission to maintain the Black

Regiment Monument located in Patriots Park in Portsmouth, and its surrounding grounds while

promoting the commemoration of the Black Regiment.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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