| Chapter 006 |
| 2025 -- S 0591 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 05/06/2025 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO RENAMING THE NEW SAKONNET RIVER BRIDGE, AQUIDNECK ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senators Felag, DiPalma, Lauria, Raptakis, Tikoian, and Euer |
| Date Introduced: February 26, 2025 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| WHEREAS, Throughout the centuries, dedications and memorials have served as tributes |
| to prominent heroes who have woven the rich fabric or an area or people’s history; and |
| WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts is just such a laudable and heroic individual; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts, a resident of Newport, Rhode Island and |
| subsequently Tiverton, Rhode Island, and a member of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 103D Field |
| Artillery Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, made the ultimate sacrifice while engaging |
| enemy forces in combat operations near Taji, Iraq. |
| WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts’ heroic actions resulted in his award of the |
| Bronze Star Medal, with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart; and |
| WHEREAS, The Statestate of Rhode Island, as well as the majority of states across the |
| country, uphold the tradition of naming structures such as roads, bridges, and edifices after |
| renowned and heroic individuals and there is overwhelming support for renaming the Sakonnet |
| River Bridge the “Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge.” |
| SECTION 1. Chapter 22-7.4 of the General Laws entitled "Permanent Joint Committee on |
| Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions" is hereby amended |
| by adding thereto the following section: |
| 22-7.4-157. Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge. |
| Rhode Island Bridge No. 250, which carries Route 24 over the Sakonnet River between the |
| towns of Portsmouth and Tiverton, previously known as the new Sakonnet River Bridge, shall |
| hereafter be named and known as the “Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge.” |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
| ======== |
| LC002126/SUB A |
| ======== |