R 260

2017 -- H 6232 Enacted 05/18/2017

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

DECLARING MAY 18TH, 2017, TO BE "ONE PROVIDENCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Almeida, Walsh, Williams, Perez, and Ajello

Date Introduced: May 18, 2017

WHEREAS, May 18th of 2017, has been chosen as a day for the people of the City of

Providence and residents across Rhode Island to celebrate our state's Creative Capital; and

WHEREAS, Providence has a long and distinguished history that goes back more than

375 years, beginning when Roger Williams first came to the area in search of religious freedom

and named his new home "Providence"; and

WHEREAS, Providence began as a refuge for a man leaving religious persecution, and

has long served as a home to welcome immigrants from every nation and continues to be a

leading community that advocates for and welcomes immigrants, refugees, students and visitors

from around the world; and

WHEREAS, The City of Providence has a rich history as a cultural, manufacturing and

economic center of Southern New England, and is home to much storied architecture; and

WHEREAS, The City of Providence was voted "America's Coolest City" by GQ

Magazine for its creative food scene and innovative entrepreneurship; and

WHEREAS, The City of Providence serves as home to the first ever Providence

International Arts Festival, known thereafter as PVDFEST; and

WHEREAS, Providence's proud economic history as a jewelry and manufacturing center

for the Northeast now manifests itself in the city's emerging leadership in the academic, health

care, life sciences, and hospitality sectors; and

WHEREAS, Providence is home to a majority of Rhode Island's economic activity, and a

successful and thriving City of Providence is critical to a successful and thriving Rhode Island;

and

WHEREAS, City leaders are seeking to advance a vision of One Providence, uniting

residents from across neighborhoods, economic backgrounds, and racial and ethnic differences,

and to strengthen the City with a long-term view towards creating a prosperous future; now,

therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby declares May 18th, 2017, to be "ONE PROVIDENCE DAY" in the

State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby joins the residents of Providence in celebrating our

state's Capital for its contributions to Rhode Island's past, present and future; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Jorge O. Elorza, Mayor of the

City of Providence, and to the members of the Providence City Council.

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