WHEREAS, On March 19, we respectfully and joyfully commemorate the feast day of St. Joseph; and

WHEREAS, Scripture records no words spoken by Joseph of the House of David. Known only by his deeds, Joseph took his place in the history of his people as a man of quiet courage and deep faith, tested often in Nazareth, in Bethlehem, and in Egypt. Humble and noble, patient and determined, he bore his burdens with dignity, his enduring strength as patriarch of the family and as a guide and guardian in times of peril overcoming all adversity; and

WHEREAS, This man, Joseph, is envisoned by Christians throughout the world as the ebodiment of family solidarity - a dedicated, humble, hard-working father and husband, a man, almost self-effacing in his love and concern for his family, but determined and resolute in the face of his community's murmurings, and daring and courageous in eluding Herod's men; and

WHEREAS, Our drifting society of today still yearns to capture what Joseph's life embodied: noble humanity overcoming adversity; the just peace of a beloved and loving man; and the wealth of faith; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the feast of St. Joseph and the principles his life celebrates; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the virtues of St. Joseph, and celebrates his feast day in joy, and harmony, strengthened in will by his example and refreshed in spirit to meet the challenges of the future.