Introduced By: Representatives Benoit, Martineau, Burlingame, Picard and Munschy
Date Introduced : April 29, 1999
WHEREAS, A ceremony for the dedication of the monument to Aram J. Pothier will be held at Place Pothier at the Museum of Work and Culture on Sunday, May 2, 1999; and
WHEREAS, Aram J. Pothier, a French-Canadian immigrant to Woonsocket, began his career as a bank clerk and rose to the position of President of Union Trust Company of Providence and Woonsocket Institution for Savings; and
WHEREAS, At the turn of the century, having witnessed the French industrialization at the Paris Universal Exposition of 1900, Pothier decided to build a large textile plant in Woonsocket. In subsequent trips to France, he persuaded additional textile magnates to settle in Woonsocket and;
WHEREAS, These textile powerhouses, combined with the already operational cotton and plush mills, created a huge need for secondary businesses to supply support to these industries, the workers and their families; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, military hardware, rubber rafts, and cloth preparation for armed forces uniforms were manufactured in the textile mills of Woonsocket; and
WHEREAS, According to Aram Pothier's prediction, and due to his perseverance and dedication, these factories and support services created a great economic power and made Woonsocket a progressive place to live from the turn of the century to the 1960's; and
WHEREAS, Aram J. Pothier served Woonsocket as Mayor and Rhode Island as Governor for seven terms, from 1909 to 1915 and 1925 to 1928. While Governor, he established the Department of the State Police, the budget system for State expenditures and began the commercial development of Narragansett Bay; and
WHEREAS, Single-handedly responsible for the super-economic power of Woonsocket for more than 50 years, Aram Pothier has touched almost 90% of Woonsocket families; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the dedication of the Aram J. Pothier monument at the Museum of Work and Culture and Aram J. Pothier's induction into the Heritage Hall of Fame, and proclaims May 2-8 as Governor Aram J. Pothier Week in the State of Rhode Island; 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 Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
