2022 -- H 8201

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LC005848

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 4TH ANNUAL "STATE DAY OF THE COOPERATIVE" ON

MAY 3, 2022, IN RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Felix, Alzate, Barros,
Tobon, Kazarian, Williams, and Filippi

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Worker-Owned cooperatives are business enterprises that are owned and

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governed by their employees and have two common characteristics, member-owners invest in and

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own the business together and share in the enterprise's profits, and the business' decision-making

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is democratic, with each member having one vote; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2012, the United Nations declared "The Year of Cooperatives" and

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encouraged governments "to establish policies, laws, and regulations conducive to cooperative

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formation and growth"; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island provided for the creation of Worker-Owned Cooperatives as a

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recognized form of business incorporation with unique characteristics, through legislation that

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allows workers and investors to form workers' cooperatives and are specifically aimed at

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empowering workers; and

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     WHEREAS, Worker-Owned Cooperatives have a long and proud history of building

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wealth, security, equality, resiliency, solidarity, and hope for individuals and families, especially

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in those communities and among those populations historically disadvantaged; and

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     WHEREAS, Because Worker-Owned Cooperatives are owned by their workers, they

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concentrate as much on creating lasting and meaningful employment and good, healthy working

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conditions as they do on generating profits for the owners/workers; and

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     WHEREAS, Worker-Owned Cooperatives have as their express purpose and charter, the

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increase of equity, participation in democratic governance, control of working conditions,

 

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security, and control of economic destiny for their members; and

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     WHEREAS, The diverse communities of Rhode Island offer myriad opportunities for

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entrepreneurship, innovation, development, and investment by Worker-Owned Cooperatives,

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whose members hail directly from those communities and whose business activities directly serve

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those communities and whose actions are directly accountable to those communities; and

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     WHEREAS, Conversion of businesses to Worker-Owned Cooperatives to avoid closure

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or sale to out-of-state entities, represents a sound and creative response by this State to the

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inevitable retirement of Rhode Island small business owners; now, therefore be it

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

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commemorates the 4th annual "State Day of the Cooperative" on May 3, 2022, in order to

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celebrate and promote the proliferation and growth of Worker-Owned Cooperatives in our State -

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businesses which have demonstrated the ability to bring "the economic benefits of a fulfilling life

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with a good job" along with dignity and self-determination, to individuals and communities

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around the State; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Fuerza Laboral/Power of Workers.

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LC005848

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