S  E  N  A  T  E     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 25, 2000 AS "PLASTICS INDUSTRY DAY IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND"

WHEREAS, The Plastics Industry is one of Rhode Island's most successful industries in the state employing over 24,000 workers in 185 facilities with annual shipments over $1.6 billion and continues to grow at higher than national rates, expanding the number of Rhode Island citizens working for the industry; and

WHEREAS, The industry's continued growth can be attributed to a dedicated core of innovative and creative companies, one of the nation's most productive workforces and the leadership of organizations such as the Rhode Island Plastics Partnership Council, the American Plastics Council and the Society of the Plastics Industry; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Plastic Industry and the industry's trade associations continue to work cooperatively to strengthen the state's plastics industry and have combined their efforts to build and sustain a productive and efficient workforce through education from vocational-technical schools and certificate programs to college and graduate degree programs; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Plastics Industry has received the strong support of the State of Rhode Island, through various state agencies such as the Governor's Office, the Department of Economic Development, all which seek to promote and enhance the growth of the industry; and

WHEREAS, The Plastics Industry of Rhode Island has successfully sponsored programs in the State such as the Plastic Summit held in Providence in 1998, the educational and apprenticeship programs at the Community College of Rhode Island, support of the Plasti/Van educational program of the National Plastics Center and Museum and the current Plastics Day in the State Capitol; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 25, 2000 as Plastics Industry Day in Rhode Island.