06-R151

2006 -- H 7921

Enacted 03/21/06

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

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE LEAD PAINT HAZARD FROM THE AREA NEAR THE PORTSMOUTH MELVILLE SCHOOL

Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Rice, Amaral, and Loughlin

Date Introduced: March 21, 2006

     WHEREAS, Article 1 of the Rhode Island Constitution states “All free governments are

instituted for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people.” Over the past several months a

serious situation has emerged that gives rise to the imminent safety of some of the youngest and

most vulnerable citizens of this state; and

     WHEREAS, Numerous paint chips, containing lead paint, have been found on the ground

outside the Melville Elementary School located on West Main Road in Portsmouth; and

     WHEREAS, Lead has long been recognized as a harmful environmental pollutant. The

Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services has stated that lead is

the "number one environmental threat to the health of children in the United States"; and

     WHEREAS, The paint chips are from a Navy water tower located adjacent to the school,

and although the Navy “has recognized and remains concerned about the safety of the students,

teachers and visitors of the school,” this hazard, which was discovered almost six months ago,

has yet to be fully remedied; and

      WHEREAS, The Navy needs to devise a comprehensive long-term solution forthwith,

and the current contamination must be remedied without any further delays; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the United States Navy Region Northeast in

conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management expedite the lead

paint hazard treatment and removal from the Navy water tower and the surrounding area located

adjacent to the Portsmouth Melville Elementary School; 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 Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter, Navy

Captain T.W. Malloy, Chris Zendan, spokesperson for Navy Region Northwest, the Director of

the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, L.F. Clavin & Co. of Warwick,

Portsmouth School Superintendent Susan F. Lusi, and Melville School Principal Joanne Olson.

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LC02852

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