2022 -- S 2669

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LC005421

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BLACK REGIMENT

MONUMENT COMMISSION

     

     Introduced By: Senators Seveney, DiPalma, and Euer

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 77.2

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BLACK REGIMENT MONUMENT COMMISSION

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     42-77.2-1. Legislative findings.

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     The general assembly finds and declares that:

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     (1) The State of Rhode Island has a well-established record of recognizing, honoring,

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preserving historic records and sites;

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     (2) The State of Rhode Island was a leading force in the American Revolutionary War,

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having demonstrated its commitment to an independent form of government from its founding;

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     (3) The Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778, in Portsmouth, served to turn the course

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of the American Revolutionary War in Rhode Island by forcing the British and Hessian troops to

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flee;

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     (4) The first Rhode Island Regiment, otherwise known as the "Black Regiment," composed

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of freed and enslaved Black men and Native American men, displayed uncommon courage on the

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battlefield in the cause of freedom from tyranny;

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     (5) The Newport County Branch - NAACP led the way in recognizing the importance of

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the role that The Black Regiment played in the victory in the Battle of Rhode Island;

 

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     (6) The Newport County Branch - NAACP has conducted a commemoration ceremony at

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the site of the Battle of Rhode Island in recognition of the feats of the Black Regiment every year

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since 1968;

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     (7) Through the leadership of the Newport County Branch - NAACP, and in collaboration

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with state government and federal government, a beautiful monument has been erected at this site,

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now known as Patriots Park, in Portsmouth; and

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     (8) The Black Regiment Monument has been designated as an historic site, thus requiring

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ongoing care and oversight.

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     42-77.2-2. Establishment - Purpose.

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     There is established the Black Regiment Monument Commission, whose purpose and

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function shall be to keep the memory of the Black Regiment alive and to assure the proper upkeep

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and maintenance of the Black Regiment Monument and surrounding park grounds.

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     42-77.2-3. Membership and annual reports.

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     (a) The commission shall be comprised of five (5) members:

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     (1) The president of the senate, or designee;

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     (2) The speaker of the house of representatives, or designee;

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     (3) The president of the Portsmouth town council, or designee;

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     (4) The director of the Rhode Island department of environmental management, or

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designee; and

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     (5) The president of the Newport County Branch - NAACP or designee/member.

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     (b) The commission shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and a secretary on a biennial basis.

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     (c) The commission shall meet at least two (2) times per year, maintain minutes of

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meetings, comply with open meetings laws and standards, and submit an annual report to the

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president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

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     42-77.2-4. Duties of commission.

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     The duties of the commission shall be:

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     (1) The commission shall establish standards and procedures consistent with its purpose

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and function.

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     (2) The commission shall approve of the use of the monument and grounds at Patriots Park,

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including all ceremonies, commemorations, lectures, presentations, reenactment, signage,

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adornments, and the like.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BLACK REGIMENT

MONUMENT COMMISSION

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     This act would establish the Black Regiment Monument Commission to maintain the Black

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Regiment Monument located in Patriots Park in Portsmouth, and its surrounding grounds while

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promoting the commemoration of the Black Regiment.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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