S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING THE 125TH ANNUAL COMMISSIONING DAY OF THE RHODE ISLAND YACHT CLUB
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Yacht Club was founded and chartered as the Providence Yacht Club in 1875 by a group of prominent Rhode Island business and boating enthusiasts. With nineteen members and twelve yachts listed, membership entrance fees were set at five dollars; and
WHEREAS, According to the Yacht Club's constitution, "the object of the Club shall be the encouragement of yacht building and naval architecture, and the cultivation of naval science"; and, setting a precedent that continued and is presently described in the By-Laws "the object of this Club shall be the encouragement of yachting, yacht building, seamanship, advancement of navigation and nautical science"; and
WHEREAS, It is only natural that Rhode Island, a state blessed with a vast and beautiful coastline, would have such a distinguished, historic and prestigious organization to proudly call its own; and
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Yacht Club's rich history in yacht racing and boating activity on Narragansett Bay has included involvement in various distinguished events, amazing yachts and interesting people including: Sir Thomas Lipton, Henry Ford, John Brown Herreshoff, the world renowned Herreshoff Yachts, the 100 Guineas Cup winning (today known as the America's Cup), 1921 Yacht America, the USS Constitution, the McKee Cup, the Ladies Day Regatta, and many more; and
WHEREAS, In 1998 The Rhode Island Yacht Club formed the Rhode Island Yacht Club Educational Foundation to provide boating education and instruction and to further the public's understanding of boating safety and marine related skills; and
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Yacht Club is one of the thirty-seven oldest registered Yacht Clubs in the United States, the ninth oldest in New England and the oldest continuing Yacht Club in Rhode Island; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the 125th Annual Commissioning Day of the Rhode Island Yacht Club and recognizes this Club's outstanding commitment to yachting, and the preservation of their rich history and traditions; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Yacht Club.