2013 -- H 6243

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LC02789

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING JEFFREY MARK PADWA FOR COMPLETING THE 54-MILE

COMRADES ULTRAMARATHON IN SOUTH AFRICA

     Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Shekarchi, Ajello, Fox, and Slater

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2013

     Referred To: House read and passed

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      WHEREAS, The Comrades Marathon in South Africa was run on Sunday, June 2nd,

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2013, for the 88th time. The concept of the marathon began as a "vision" of World War I veteran

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Vic Clapham, who wanted to establish a lasting monument that would pay homage to the

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hardship, pain, and suffering endured by those who had fallen during the war; and

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     WHEREAS, Since the very first race in 1921, Comrades has been staged every year, with

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the exception of a period of time during the Second World War, and has become one of the

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longest-running and best-loved ultramarathons in the world; and

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     WHEREAS, The Comrade's hilly course alternates direction between "up" run and

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"down" run years and consists of approximately 6,600 feet of ascent and 4,700 feet of descent

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with five major hills: Polly Shortts, Inchanga, Botha's Hill, Fields Hill, Cowie's Hill, and not

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much flat land between them. This year marked an "up" run with the race starting on the coast in

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Durban, South Africa, and finishing higher up inland at Pietermaritzburg, for a total of just over a

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double marathon of 87.3k (54.3 miles); and

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     WHEREAS, Competing with more than 19,000 athletes from all over the world, Jeffrey

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Padwa, a 49-year-old City Solicitor for Providence, took on this ultimate training and endurance

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challenge and ran Comrades. He completed the Comrades race in 10 hours, 14 minutes, 59

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seconds, finishing in 3,688th place out of a field of 19,907 entrants; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Padwa, who ran to support the children and families who need and use

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the Ronald McDonald House of Providence, received a Bronze medal for his effort. In addition,

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through donations and sponsors, he was able to raise almost $25,000 to help care for families who

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are struggling when their children are sick; and

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     WHEREAS, What has made Comrades one of world's best-loved and most revered races

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is the tradition and unique spirit brought by the thousands of runners who have completed the

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race throughout its illustrious history; and

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     WHEREAS, Jeffrey Padwa set a goal for himself that required enormous effort and he

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was fully committed to the discipline, hard work, and persistence that were necessary to make it

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happen. With the strength of his spirit, mind, and body, he rose gloriously to the challenge, and

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earned the honor of completing this uplifting and life-affirming experience; now, therefore be it

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

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Providence Plantations hereby applauds and congratulates Jeffrey Padwa on completing the

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Comrades Ultramarathon. We moreover wish him good health, happiness, and much success in

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all his future endeavors; 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 Mr. Jeffrey Mark Padwa.

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LC02789

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