R 311

2017 -- H 6266 Enacted 06/09/2017

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 227TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF "HOPE DAY: BIRTH OF OUR NATION"

Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Mattiello, Shekarchi, Carson, and Morgan

Date Introduced: May 30, 2017

WHEREAS, Two hundred and twenty-seven years ago, on May 29, 1790, in the City of

Newport, the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention was convened for the purpose of resolving

the adoption of the proposed Constitution that would create the original union and birth of the

United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Fourteen years and twenty-five days had passed since the revolutionary

English Colony of Rhode Island had declared itself separate and free from any allegiance to Great

Britain on May 4th of 1776; and, two years, eight months, and twelve days had elapsed since the

Philadelphia Constitutional Convention had adopted the proposed Constitution for the United

States of America on September 17th of 1787; and

WHEREAS, On a vote of thirty-four to thirty-two, Rhode Island's Constitutional

Delegation adopted the proposed Constitution of the United States of America; and, thus, became

the thirteenth and last of the original states ratifying the Constitution and completing the national

Union; and

WHEREAS, When the deciding vote was cast, the great bell of the Second Baptist

Church on Farewell Street rang joyously, precipitating an exuberant carillon of all Newport's

church bells; and, the dancing in the streets of the City of Providence combined with great

celebrations across the countryside, heralding the newborn sovereign State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations, the Hope State, and marking the "Birth of Our Nation"; and

WHEREAS, By Rhode Island's revolutionary legislative action, the United States of

America had been formally born in Liberty and Justice; and, the Hope of the Nation's Founding

Fathers had been realized: E pluribus unum - One from many: Our Nation's motto. HOPE: Rhode

Island's motto. Rhode Island: Our Nation's Birthplace; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby commemorates the 227th Anniversary Celebration Of "Hope Day: Birth Of

Our Nation"; 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 Governor Gina Raimondo, the

Honorable Governors of the other twelve Original States, the Mayors or Administrators of Rhode

Island's thirty-nine Cities and Towns, and George Brian Sullivan, Ph.D., Executive Director,

Newportant Foundation.

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LC002702

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