2024 -- H 8260

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LC005958

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING MAY 11-18, 2024, AS "QUAHOG WEEK 2024" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Solomon, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Shanley, Craven, Caldwell, McGaw, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: May 09, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island proudly supports its burgeoning food industry; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's fishing and seafood sector is a key component of the Rhode

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Island food industry; and

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     WHEREAS, A recent study by the University of Rhode Island finds that the total

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economic impact of Rhode Island's fisheries and seafood sector is nearly 4,300 jobs and $420

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million in statewide economic impact annually; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island quahog fishery plays a particularly important role in the

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history, culture, and economy of the State; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2022, approximately 397,000 meat pounds were harvested from

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Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island coastal waters; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's commercial quahog fishery is characterized by over 500

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independent owner/operators who typically work alone on small boats and often in harsh

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conditions; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island quahog fishery produces a steady supply of fresh product

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to the market throughout the year, thanks to a well-managed, sustainable resource and the grit and

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determination of the hard-working harvesters; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's seafood retailers provide fresh Rhode Island quahogs to local

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consumers, enriching palates and bolstering our local food economy; and

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     WHEREAS, Water quality improvements in Narragansett Bay have led to the opening of

 

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1,908 acres of new shellfishing waters in the lower Providence River, providing a significant

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growth opportunity for the fishery; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative was established by the

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Rhode Island General Assembly in 2011, for the purpose of promoting and advancing the

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interests of Rhode Island's seafood industry; and

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     WHEREAS, A key initiative of the Collaborative has been "Quahog Week," an annual

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statewide celebration that highlights the importance and appeal of Rhode Island's iconic clam;

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and

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     WHEREAS, The 8th annual "Quahog Week" takes place in 2024 during the week of May

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11 through May 18; and

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     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2024" features a large number of restaurants and markets

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throughout the State offering quahog-based specials on their menus and in their display cases, all

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highlighted on the SeafoodRl.com website; and

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     WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2024" will also feature special events, with details provided

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on the SeafoodRl.com website; now, therefore be it

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

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commemorates May 11-18, 2024, as "Quahog Week 2024" and congratulates the Rhode Island

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Seafood Marketing Collaborative, the Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association, and the many

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partners who have joined together to make Quahog Week 2024 a premier statewide event; and be

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it further

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     RESOLVED, That this House hereby encourages all Rhode Islanders to support Rhode

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Island's local quahog and seafood industry by participating in Quahog Week and enjoying fresh

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RI quahogs throughout the year; 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 duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing

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Collaborative, and the Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association.

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LC005958

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