2025 -- H 5411

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LC000984

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 11, 2025, AS "THE 2ND RHODE ISLAND

REGIMENT/BLACK REGIMENT RECOGNITION DAY" TO COMMEMORATE THE

CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK SOLDIERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY

WAR

     Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, Morales, Hull, Abney, Biah, J. Lombardi,
Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     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 House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes February 11, 2025, as "The 2nd 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 House 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 Donald Trump, 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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LC000984

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