| R 098 |
| 2024 -- S 2492 Enacted 02/15/2024 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 15, 2024, AS "THE 1ST RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT/BLACK REGIMENT RECOGNITION DAY" TO COMMEMORATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK SOLDIERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR |
Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, Mack, de la Cruz, Gu, Quezada, Felag, Kallman, Acosta, F. Lombardi, and Lauria |
| Date Introduced: February 15, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the role of Black people in every aspect of |
| American history since the colonial days; and |
| WHEREAS, There is little public awareness of the contributions of Black people during |
| the American Revolutionary War; and |
| WHEREAS, Despite the horrors of enslavement suffered by Black people in America, |
| some fought to gain their freedom, as well as American Independence, by becoming members of |
| the 1st Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolutionary War; and |
| WHEREAS, The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was an integrated unit composed of Black, |
| White and Indigenous soldiers, who served together from 1778 through the end of the war in |
| 1783; and |
| WHEREAS, In August of 1778, the First Rhode Island Regiment stood bravely on the |
| right flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three Hessian |
| charges and held the line against the British forces to “distinguish itself with deeds of great |
| valor”; and |
| WHEREAS, The Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker |
| Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island Slave History |
| Medallions Project, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, the Portsmouth Historical Society and |
| other historical organizations have been working to educate the public about enslaved people in |
| Rhode Island and their contribution to the establishment of America during the colonial period; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, As the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence |
| in 1776 approaches, it is important to ensure that the history and contributions of Black people |
| during the American Revolutionary War not be forgotten; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes February |
| 15, 2024, as "The 1st Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day" to commemorate the |
| contributions of Black soldiers during the American Revolutionary War; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby expresses its deep gratitude to the Black soldiers |
| who served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and recognizes that this history must be made more |
| known and never be forgotten; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph Biden, President of the |
| United States, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the Honorable Daniel McKee, |
| Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle |
| Passage Port Marker Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island |
| Slave History Medallions organization, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, and the |
| Portsmouth Historical Society. |
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| LC005068 |
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