WHEREAS, The Miss Rhode Island Scholarship Program provides young women between the ages of 17 and 24 an opportunity to pursue their professional and educational goals through the awarding of scholarships. This year Rhode Island expects to offer approximately $150,000 in scholarship opportunities as Salve Regina joins the pageant's distinguished list of supporters; and

WHEREAS, Each spring a new Miss Rhode Island is selected based on intelligence, talent and the ability to become a spokesperson on an issue of vital importance in the Rhode Island community; and

WHEREAS, From the day that one young lady is annually honored with the title "Miss Rhode Island", she begins a year of service to the community. Miss Rhode Island sets her own agenda and works diligently on a platform in line with her personal convictions. This requires her to travel throughout the Ocean State and reach out to public school students, business leaders, and fraternal and community organizations through her numerous speaking engagements; and

WHEREAS, Miss Rhode Island often becomes a media spokesperson on behalf of her cause. In recent years, such wide-ranging issues as AIDS awareness, early childhood intervention, self-esteem and eating disorders have been the focus of Miss Rhode Island winners; and

WHEREAS, Former Miss Rhode Island participants have gone on to distinguish themselves in a variety of careers and endeavors. These ambitious women have enjoyed success in careers such as education, business, medicine, fashion and politics while others have devoted themselves to raising families and community service projects; and

WHEREAS, Competitors agree that their participation in the Miss Rhode Island Program and the personal growth derived from it were important ingredients in the success they enjoyed later in their careers and personal lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is hereby proud and pleased to declare April 20, 1996, the day of this year's pageant, to be "Miss Rhode Island Day". The membership feels that Miss Rhode Island superbly represents all of the excellent qualities inherent in the young women of the Ocean State and that she is a fine role model for today's youth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Louanne Gamba, Executive Director of the Miss Rhode Island Scholarship Pageant.