2021 -- H 5755

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LC001987

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY URGING RHODE ISLAND'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO

REDUCE MILITARY SPENDING AND PRIORITIZE CLIMATE ACTION

     Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Morales, and Henries

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     WHEREAS, The federal military budget comprises more than fifty percent of federal

discretionary spending and far outpaces federal spending on other crucial societal needs such as

education, infrastructure, transportation, food and housing security; and

     WHEREAS, America’s growing global military footprint in many ways is a destabilizing

factor upon our national security and global well-being, possibly inducing a new global arms

race; and

     WHEREAS, The effects of the climate crisis are becoming more clear and investments in

climate mitigation and resilience industries more needed; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island economy was reliant on the military sector for 7.6 percent

of its economic output, according to the Southern New England Defense Industry Alliance’s

(SENEDIA) latest report from 2017; and

     WHEREAS, Public investment in other industries, such as clean energy, infrastructure,

education, health care, rather than in the military, produces a greater number of jobs, according to

research presented by the Costs of War Project at Brown University’s Watson Institute; and

     WHEREAS, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that

“rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” will be required to avoid

a climate catastrophe; now, therefore be it

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

respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Congressional delegation prioritize an economic

transition where resources are directed away from militarism toward mitigation of, and adaptation

to, the climate crisis in a way that guarantees a just transition for those working in sectors of

reduced economic activity, and that benefits all communities, in particular communities of color

and poverty whose well-being is often neglected; 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 Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC001987

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