2025 -- H 6140

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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

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF WPRI-TV ON MARCH 27,

2025

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale,
Solomon, Casey, Kennedy, Edwards, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, WPRI began its operations in the Providence metropolitan region on March

27, 1955, as WPRO-TV, before ownership split up the television and radio sides in 1967. WPRI-

TV was originally owned by the Cherry & Webb Department store chain; and

     WHEREAS, WPRI-TV began operations by broadcasting newscasts that were only

fifteen minutes long, but today produces more than 60 hours of original and critically acclaimed

programming each week; and

     WHEREAS, WPRI-TV was originally located in Providence on the top floor of 24

Mason Street in downtown Providence from 1955 to 1974, before moving to East Providence into

the same headquarters from which they operate today; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout the decades, WPRI-TV has been the home of many of the most

prominent and beloved broadcasters including legendary Salty Brine, as well as Hank Bouchard,

Mort Blender, Walter Cryan, Karen Adams, Jack White, Mike Gorman, Phil Wilson, and

numerous other talented broadcasters and journalists; and

     WHEREAS, The current team of talented on-air news broadcasters at WPRI-TV include

anchors Shannon Hegy, and Mike Montecalvo, investigative reporters Tim White and Ted Nesi,

and Meteorologist Tony Petrarca as well as many other talented contributors; and

     WHEREAS, WPRI-TV has always made a strong commitment to produce local shows

and to serve the local community. In addition to its regular newscasts, WPRI-TV has produced

such famous shows as “Salty’s Shack” and “Romper Room” to “Newsmakers” and “The Rhode

Show”; and

     WHEREAS, WPRI-TV has distinguished itself from its competition through its

commitment to investigative reporting and its extensive political coverage, which has included

decades of live televised debates, informing and enlightening multiple generations. WPRI-TV has

also broadcast the Meeting Street Telethon annually since the 1970s; now, therefore be it

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

joyously congratulates WPRI-TV on its 70th Anniversary on March 27, 2025, for providing the

Rhode Island and Southern New England communities with reliable, accurate and informative

news; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to WPRI-TV General Manager, Patrick Wholey.

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