2000 -- S 2844

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LC02853
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S  E  N  A  T  E     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

PROCLAIMING SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2000 "THE CONSTANTINIAN UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION DAY"

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 the 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 shall 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 a school on the Palatine Hill in Rome more than 1,670 years ago, which in subsequent centuries became The Constantinian University. In former ages, The Constantinian University has conferred all the traditional university degrees, as well as the ad eundem gradum and the licentia ubique docendi. The Constantinian University is chartered by the State of Rhode Island to function as an honorary university, to confer honorary degrees and honorary university titles, and to conduct seminars, symposia, conferences, lectures, round table discussions, et cetera. The Constantinian University is recognized by the Office of Higher Education of the State of Rhode Island, is recognized officially by the Holy Roman Church as an international Catholic institution and a subject of International Law, and Johnson & Wales University serves as its host university; and

WHEREAS, The Constantinian University is holding its Fifteenth International Academic Convocation on April 30, 2000, in the Chapel of Empress Saint Theodora of Johnson & Wales University, and is celebrating the Jubilee Year 2000 of the Holy Roman Church and the 2,753^rd anniversary of the City of Rome, the Eternal City. The Constantinian University will confer honorary degrees and honorary university titles on thirty distinguished Italian professionals. Lieutenant Governor Charles J. Fogarty, a native Rhode Islander, will be awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service; 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, glorious and illustrious Mother University, located in the United States of America in the City of Cranston, by proclaiming Sunday, April 30, 2000, 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 for thirty years, 1970-2000.