Introduced By: Senator Kelly
Date Introduced : March 19, 1999
WHEREAS, In the autumn of A.D. 312, Constantine, not yet emperor, led his army over the seven thousand foot pass of Mont Cenis from Gaul into Italy, to confront Maxentius, the oppressive ruler of the western part of the Roman Empire. The armies faced each other near Saxa Rubra in the plain of the Tiber, just north of Rome. On the eve of battle Constantine saw in the sky a cross of light over the sun. Written in stars around it were the words in Greek: "By this sign shalt thou conquer." Inspiring his army with the vision, he had them paint the chi, rho, the monogram of Christ, on their shields and led them to an overwhelming victory. Constantine, thereafter, became a conscientious and energetic Christian; and
WHEREAS, Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor of Rome and of the world, established The Constantinian University on the Palatine Hill in Rome more than 1,669 years ago. In former ages, The Constantinian University has conferred all the traditional university degrees, as well the ad eundem gradum and the licentia ubique docendi . The Constantinian University is chartered by the State of Rhode Island and is authorized to function as an honorary University, to confer honorary degrees and honorary university titles, and to conduct seminars, symposia, conferences, round table lectures, et cetera . The Constantinian University is recognized by the Office of Higher Education of the State of Rhode Island, and Johnson & Wales University serves as its host institution; and
WHEREAS, The Constantinian University is holding its Fourteenth International Academic Convocation on May 2, 1999, in The Chapel of Empress Saint Theodora of Johnson & Wales University, and is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the Johnson & Wales University chapel to Empress Saint Theodora, ancestor of His Imperial Highness Prince Don Francesco Amoroso d'Aragona, High Patron of The Constantinian University; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That This Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby acknowledge the many, outstanding contributions of this ancient and illustrious Mother University, located in the United States of America in the City of Cranston, by proclaiming Sunday, May 2, 1999, as "The Constantinian University Recognition Day"; 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 Professor Doctor Domenic A. Vavala, Magnificent Rector and President of The Constantinian University.
