05-R 268

2005 -- S 1097

Enacted 05/12/05

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE DEDICATION OF THE ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE

AND DESIGNATING THE ARTILLERY COMPANY OF NEWPORT AS REPRESENTING

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AT THE 225TH COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE

OF YORKTOWN AND THE ATTENDANT DEDICATION OF THE

WASHINGTON/ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE FROM OCTOBER 19-22 IN

YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, Gibbs, and Badeau

Date Introduced: May 12, 2005

     WHEREAS, The Washington/Rochambeau Route is of national significance as a

domestic cross-cultural experience; and

     WHEREAS, The route is significant as an indispensable and vital component of the

Campaign of 1781, without which victory over the British would have been impossible. It is the

route that took the combined American and French armies to victory; and

     WHEREAS, The route was a watershed in the development of an American identity and

was critical towards fostering unity within the thirteen colonies. In 1781-1782, thanks to the

Washington/Rochambeau Route, the thirteen colonies took a gigantic step toward becoming a

nation; and

     WHEREAS, The Washington/Rochambeau Route is a visible expression of the hope for

independence and the gratitude that greeted the returning French army on its march north in the

summer of 1782; and

     WHEREAS, The Artillery Company of Newport is participating this summer in the

reenactment of Rochambeau's arrival in Newport, and is attending the 225th commemoration of

the Battle of Yorktown and the attendant dedication of the Washington/Rochambeau

Revolutionary Route from October 19-22, 2006 in Yorktown, Virginia; and

     WHEREAS, The National Park Service is conducting the Washington/Rochambeau

Route study as authorized by Congress through the Washington/Rochambeau Revolutionary

Route National Heritage Act of 2000. The purpose of the study is to determine if the route is

eligible to become a National Historic Trail; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby designates the Artillery Company of Newport to represent the State of Rhode Island at the

225th Commemoration of the Battle of Yorktown and ceremonies dedicating the

Washington/Rochambeau Revolutionary Route; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Delegation to the United

States Congress.

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LC02885

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