2018 -- H 7203

========

LC003410

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018, TO BE "HISTORIC CEMETERY

RESTORATION/AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Giarrusso, Nardolillo, Quattrocchi, Roberts, and
Chippendale

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

1

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

2

considers our states cemeteries to be "among Rhode Island's most unique and most overlooked

3

historic resources"; and

4

     WHEREAS, In 1950, a state cemetery commission was established in order to locate and

5

register historical cemeteries throughout the state. By 1958, the commission had found 1,704

6

cemeteries; and

7

     WHEREAS, By 1990, the state cemetery commission, under the direction of John

8

Sterling, and in conjunction with a group comprised of forty volunteers, "set out to record and

9

computerize all of the gravestones in historical cemeteries around the state." As of today, they

10

have found, registered, and recorded the gravestones in 3,143 cemeteries across the state; and

11

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's historical cemeteries are "open air museums" conveying

12

information not only on the births and deaths of our citizens but also providing a record of our

13

state's geographical, religious and cultural past; and

14

     WHEREAS, As historical sites and the eternal resting places of our ancestors and the

15

original settlers in our state, historic cemeteries deserve our utmost respect, restoration, and

16

maintenance; now, therefore be it

17

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

18

Providence Plantations hereby thanks and recognizes the Rhode Island Historical Cemetery

19

Commission on their dedicated efforts to restore and rehabilitate historic cemeteries in our state;

 

1

and be it further

2

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby proclaims Saturday, April 14, 2018, to be "Historic

3

Cemetery Restoration/Awareness Day" and urges the citizens of the state to observe this day with

4

appropriate ceremonies and activities that raise awareness for the cultural, architectural, and

5

archaeological importance, and the need to preserve and restore the historic cemeteries in our

6

state; and be it further

7

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

8

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Lea Anthony Hitchen, East Greenwich Historic

9

Cemetery Advisory Commission.

========

LC003410

========

 

LC003410 - Page 2 of 2