2023 -- H 6252

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LC002642

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY FOR BEING NAMED THE 2022

"SAIL TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE YEAR" BY TALL SHIPS AMERICA

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Carson, Boylan,
Finkelman, Chippendale, McGaw, Abney, and Casey

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) is a nonprofit organization that

offers the Perry Corps series of programs: Sail Training for the 21st Century; and

     WHEREAS, Students participate in one of OHPRI Perry Corps training programs which

entail spending two weeks aboard the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry in a series of programmatic

experiences that provide opportunities in the Blue Economy, particularly the Maritime Industry

and Marine Trades, by focusing on vessel familiarization, operations such as navigation, various

required skills, as well as academic necessities; and

     WHEREAS, With funding provided by the RI Department of Education, High School

students often preface the Perry Corps onboard program with after-school experience and

programs during school vacations with a marine navigation program or marine engineering

course; and

     WHEREAS, The onboard program is meant to inspire the continuing expansion of

participants' knowledge and commitment beyond the two weeks spent onboard with a goal

towards future courses and training, and ultimately, job placement with major maritime

organizations; and

     WHEREAS, Students who have graduated the program have gone on to enroll in IYRS

the School for Marine Systems and Technology, earn their USCG Merchant Mariner Credentials,

have enlisted in the United State Coast Guard, have received acceptance to maritime academies,

and work aboard the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, adult participants in the OHPRI Perry Corps training programs

primarily begin their experience aboard in a workforce development program funded by the state

and targeted to those unemployed and under-employed. The success of this program is evidenced

by graduates being placed with maritime organizations including Safe Harbor Marinas, the

world’s largest marina operator, and the Hinckley Company; and

     WHEREAS, OHPRI Perry Corps is addressing the critical labor shortages in the Blue

Economy by providing a model for long-term sustainability, and is eminently deserving of the

peer recognition, validation, and title of “Sail Training Program of the Year”; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry on being named Sail Training Program of the Year by

Tall Ships America. We moreover thank the organization for helping to continue and ensure

Rhode Islander’s deep and meaningful relationship with the ocean; 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 Captain Jonathan T. Kabak, CEO, Oliver

Hazard Perry Rhode Island.

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