2023 -- H 6432

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LC003020

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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

HONORING THE 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION OF THE ROSE

ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE, AND THE ROSE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AND FORT HAMILTON

TRUST, FOR THEIR ONGOING CONTRIBUTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL

CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE FOUNDATION'S

CHARITY LICENSE PLATE DRIVE

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Cortvriend, Finkelman, Kennedy, Tanzi, Fellela, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: May 23, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rose Island is an 18-acre island, comprised of two parcels, located in

Newport Harbor in lower Narragansett Bay; and

     WHEREAS, In 1999, with the help of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental

Management (DEM), Parcel 1 was purchased by RILFHT from private owners interested in

developing Rose Island and, as part of a conservation easement agreement with the DEM, the

Rose Island Wildlife Refuge was established in order to ensure that the island could never be

developed, so as to preserve and protect conservation efforts on the island in perpetuity; and

     WHEREAS, Today, the fauna occupying the island is dominated by birds, including

many common passerines (catbirds, sparrows and cardinals), a few shorebirds, gulls, herons,

egrets and several species of waterfowl including common eider and Canada goose; and

     WHEREAS, In 2018, Rose Island received accreditation as an Arboretum from the

Newport Tree Conservancy; and

     WHEREAS, In 1986, Parcel 2 which is owned by the City of Newport and contains the

historic lighthouse and approximately 1.5 acres of property surrounding it, was given to RILFHT

(then known as “Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation”) by Resolution of the City of Newport to

“rehabilitate, maintain, and operate the Rose Island Lighthouse”; and

     WHEREAS, The Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust (RILFHT) is a

federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and a Rhode Island nonprofit

corporation organized under the provisions of R.I.G.L. Chapter 6 of title 7; and

     WHEREAS, August 7, 2023 will mark the 30th Anniversary of the complete restoration

and relighting of the Rose Island Lighthouse which is now listed on the National Register of

Historic Places, and open to the public during the spring and summer as a witness to maritime life

and history of the late 19th and early 20th century; and

     WHEREAS, Today, the buildings and grounds are primarily used as a living museum and

educational retreat, as well as rustic overnight accommodations similar to that of a camp; and

     WHEREAS, Two out of the four rentable rooms the RILFHT offers do not have

electricity and guests are required to pump water and use outhouses; giving visitors and overnight

guests alike the ability to experience, first-hand, what it was like living at the turn of the century

without running water and electricity, as well as the chance to compare and contrast “old

fashioned” sustainability practices with modern methods, while learning the importance of basic

conservation principles; and

     WHEREAS, All proceeds go directly back into the charity to help maintain the

organization’s educational and environmental missions; now, therefore be it

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

celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the restoration of the Rose Island Lighthouse and

acknowledges and honors the dedication and determination of the Rose Island Lighthouse and

Fort Hamilton Trust in their continuing tradition of maintaining this important Rhode Island

maritime landmark, as well as their environmental stewardship of more than 17 acres of wildlife

refuge, and their continued commitment and efforts to offer the buildings and grounds as a living

museum and educational retreat, as well as offering rustic overnight accommodations to the

public; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby encourages Rhode Islanders to learn more about

RILFHT’s charity license plate drive and the island itself by visiting www.RoseIsland.org; 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 the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton

Trust.

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