| R 260 |
| 2019 -- S 0854 Enacted 05/02/2019 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING MAY 4, 2019, TO BE "GREEN UP DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
| Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Ruggerio, Paolino, Pearson, and Lombardi |
| Date Introduced: May 02, 2019 |
| WHEREAS, Litter is nothing but a piece of waste or rubbish that has been disposed of |
| improperly, without consent, and at an inappropriate location. Littering simply means throwing |
| trash on the ground or leaving it lying on the ground instead of placing it in a garbage can, |
| recycling bin, or refuse container; and |
| WHEREAS, Litter is an eyesore that can negatively impact our sense of community and |
| safety. It spoils the look of where we live and has adverse economic, legal and environmental |
| impacts; and |
| WHEREAS, Litter cleanups cost the United States $11.5 billion a year, and that figure |
| does not include indirect costs, such as decreased property values, commerce, and tourism; and |
| WHEREAS, Areas where higher levels of litter are present are shown to attract crimes. |
| An area that is not kept clean will give criminals the idea that they will have an easier time |
| committing crimes in an area that is not well looked after; and |
| WHEREAS, Litter spoils water quality when the hazardous waste seeps into soil causing |
| ground water pollution, and every year over 100,000 marine animals are harmfully affected by |
| litter pollution; and |
| WHEREAS, Litter can also pose health and safety risks to curious children who are more |
| likely to pick items up; and |
| WHEREAS, Litter control programs are critically relevant for future generations and |
| people of all ages and all walks of life can take part in making a difference in building more |
| beautiful and healthy communities; and |
| WHEREAS, "Green Up Day" is a time to promote the stewardship of our state's natural |
| landscape and waterways and the livability of our communities by motivating and raising public |
| awareness about the benefits of a litter-free environment; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| hereby proclaims May 4, 2019, to be "Green Up Day" across the State. We moreover urge the |
| Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to help in encouraging all Rhode |
| Islanders to take pride in the place we call home by organizing and conducting community-wide |
| litter clean-up activities; 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 Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the |
| Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and Ms. Meagan |
| Filkowski. |
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| LC002483 |
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