R 229
2020 -- S 2879
Enacted 06/18/2020

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING "MEDAL OF HONOR DAY" IN RHODE ISLAND ON MARCH 25, 2020

Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Paolino, Rogers, de la Cruz, and Algiere
Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration
that is awarded to United States military service members through their acts of valor. It is
awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of
duty;" and
     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was first established by the United States Navy in
1861, followed by the United States Army in 1862. The United States Air Force, founded as an
independent service in 1947, established its Medal of Honor in 1965. Each branch has a slightly
different design to its Medal of Honor; and
     WHEREAS, "Medal of Honor Day" is a United States federal holiday that was
established to honor the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. Medal of Honor Day
was created when President George H. W. Bush signed into law Public Law 101-564 on
November 15, 1990; and
     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has had the distinction of having thirty-five of its citizens
receive the Medal of Honor. These heroic men were Lieutenant William B. Avery, (Navy),
Sergeant William J. Babcock, (Army), Corporal James A. Barber, (Army), Captain George M.
Bliss, (Army), Colonel Zenas R. Bliss, (Army), Lieutenant John K. Bucklyn, (Army), Sergeant
James H. Burbank, (Army), Corporal Benjamin H. Child, (Army), Private John Corcoran,
(Army), Captain of the Top John Edwards, (Navy), Private Charles D. Ennis, (Army), Sergeant
John H. Havron, (Army), Coxswain Thomas Hayes, (Navy), Corporal Samuel E. Lewis, (Army),
George E. McDonald, (Army), Sergeant Archibald Molbone, (Army), Corporal Thomas Parker,
(Army), Private George W. Potter, (Army), Seaman George E. Read, (Navy), Private Joseph
Taylor, (Army), Lieutenant Edward P. Tobie, (Army), Private James Welsh, (Army), Sergeant
John S. Lawton, (Army), Private Owen McGar, (Army), Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer,
John Davis, (Navy), Boatswain’s Mate Matthew Gillick, (Navy), Seaman Philip Moore, (Navy),
Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Michael Walsh, (Navy), Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty
Officer, George Bradley, (Navy), Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Francis Edward
Ormsbee, Jr., (Navy), Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Thomas Eadie, (Navy), Sergeant
William G. Fournier, (Army), Private George J. Peters, (Army), Lieutenant Robert T. Waugh,
(Army), and Corporal David B. Champagne, (Marine Corps); now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby commemorates "Medal of Honor Day" in Rhode Island on March 25, 2020; 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 of Rhode Island, Gina
M. Raimondo, and Mr. Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs.
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LC005203
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