R 204
2022 -- S 2829
Enacted 03/29/2022

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
CELEBRATING THE 150TH BIRTHDAY OF THE ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO AND PROCLAIMING APRIL 1, 2022, AS "ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, and Raptakis

Date Introduced: March 29, 2022

     WHEREAS, Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the
way its animals are treated." At Roger Williams Park Zoo, the animals' welfare rules and
conservation and environmental education are rigorously advanced and bestowed; and
     WHEREAS, Roger Williams Park Zoo is the 3rd oldest zoo in the country and is the
most visited single attraction in Rhode Island, with a record 835,000 visitors last year; and
     WHEREAS, What began as a scattered collection of small animals, purely for
entertainment, has today evolved into one of our region's foremost centers for conservation and
environmental education; and
     WHEREAS, Educational programs at the Zoo directly touch more than 138,000 learners
of all ages each year; and
     WHEREAS, As leaders in conservation and animal care, Roger Williams Park Zoo
provides engaging experiences for the young and old, empowering guests to learn about and join
in wildlife conservation, and the beauty and preservation of wild places; and
     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams Park Zoo was the first zoo in New England to earn
accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and over the past two decades,
its national and international conservation efforts have been recognized with more than twenty
awards from AZA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service; and
     WHEREAS, This year marks the 150th Birthday of Rhode Island's treasure, the Roger
Williams Park Zoo. "Somethin' tells me it's all happening at the zoo. I do believe it. I do believe
it's true"; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates the 150th
Birthday of Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, and proclaims April 1, 2022, as "Roger
Williams Park Zoo Day" in our State; 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 Stacey Johnson, Executive Director of the
Roger Williams Park Zoo and Ron Patalano, Deputy Zoo Director/Operations.
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LC005652
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