2022 -- H 8200

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LC005892

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 10TH OF 2022, AS "HMBS FLAMINGO DAY OF REMEMBRANCE"

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Azzinaro, Blazejewski, Filippi, Kennedy,
Cardillo, C Lima, Vella-Wilkinson, Fellela, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Defence

Force have shared a partnership with the State of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island National

Guard as members of the United States Department of Defense State Partnership Program since

2005; and

     WHEREAS, The HBMS Flamingo, under the command of Commander Amos Rolle,

departed Coral Harbour Base on May 8, 1980, for a ten-day patrol of Bahamian territorial waters;

and

     WHEREAS, On May 10, 1980, the HMBS Flamingo, with 19 souls onboard, was fired

upon and sunk after attempting to arrest fishing vessels for poaching in Bahamian waters; and

     WHEREAS, The lives of the four Royal Bahamas Defence Force Marines that were lost

include Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Marine Seaman Austin Rudolph Smith, Marine Seaman

David Allison Tucker, and Marine Seaman Edward Arnold Williams; and

     WHEREAS, It is vital to remember those who lost their lives and likewise important to

pay tribute to the descendants and survivors of the HMBS Flamingo; and

     WHEREAS, This year marks the 42nd Anniversary of the sinking of the HMBS

Flamingo. We must never forget the lives lost and that our partnership is symbolic of the peace

sought throughout the world; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

declares May 10, 2022, as "HMBS Flamingo Day of Remembrance" in the State of Rhode Island

in solidarity with our partners the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Commonwealth of The

Bahamas; 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 Rebecca J. Gard, CPT US Army NG RIARNG

(USA).

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