2022 -- H 8357

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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

HONORING JOE AND ROSA DAPONTE ON BEING NAMED CHIEF MARSHALS OF THE

2022 BRISTOL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Speakman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi,
Shallcross Smith, Fellela, Fogarty, Cassar, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: June 21, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Bristol, Rhode Island, Fourth of July Celebration was founded in 1785,

and is the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Beginning in 1826, Chief Marshals have been chosen annually. This high

honor has always been bestowed on Bristol residents who have given their time in service to the

community. It is therefore fitting that Joe and Rosa DaPonte have been chosen as the 237th Chief

Marshals of the Bristol 4th of July celebrations; and

     WHEREAS, Joe and Rosa DaPonte immigrated to Bristol from the Azores, with Joe

arriving in 1973, and Rosa arriving in 1980, after meeting and falling in love with Joe; and

     WHEREAS, Hardworking and industrious, Joe had begun working the day after arriving

in Rhode Island, originally working multiple shifts and later finding employment at Pearson

Yacht, where he developed a passion for boat building and extensive knowledge of the craft by

studying blueprints and by subsequently working for some well-known boat builders; and

     WHEREAS, Making their dreams a reality, Joe and Rosa began their successful boat

building business in a 4,000 square foot building on Metacom Avenue in April of 1998, and in

2005, bought some land and built a larger complex for their quickly growing enterprise.

Eventually, the couple's two sons, Cesar and Craig, also joined the company; and

     WHEREAS, Recognized as one of the foremost, innovative, authorities in composite boat

building and tool making, the company focuses on their own brand of boats, with about eleven

different models, and most recently, launched their largest model to date. They have been

honored for building two “Boats of the Year” as the North American Builder for J/Boats, first by

Sailing World for building the J/70, and recently by Cruising World for building the J/95; and

     WHEREAS, Since moving to Bristol, Joe and Rosa have been devoted parishioners and

volunteers at St. Elizabeth’s Church. Joe also enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time with his

family and in addition to helping out with fundraising at the church, Rosa likes cooking,

gardening, and boating; and

     WHEREAS, Over the past four decades, Joe and Rosa DaPonte have exhibited

outstanding devotion and distinction within the Bristol community, have had a meaningful impact

on the lives of many, and are surely deserving of being named Chief Marshals of the Bristol

Fourth of July Celebrations; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates Joe and Rosa DaPonte on being named Chief Marshals of the 2022 Bristol, Rhode

Island, Fourth of July Celebration; 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 Joe and Rosa DaPonte.

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