2026 -- H 8461

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LC006170

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 23, 2026, TO BE "WORLD TABLE TENNIS DAY" IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Hopkins, Chippendale, Blazejewski, Nardone, Roberts,
Fascia, Place, Paplauskas, Santucci, and J. Brien

     Date Introduced: April 16, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, World Table Tennis Day is celebrated worldwide on April 23. Each year

registered events take place in over 90 countries as a celebration of the Olympic racket sport

which is one of the most popular participation sports in the world; and

     WHEREAS, World Table Tennis Day has been celebrated each year since 2015, bringing

together people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities in a spirit of fellowship, recreation, and

social connection; and

     WHEREAS, Table tennis is a uniquely accessible sport that can be played in schools,

homes, community centers, parks, senior centers, and recreation facilities, and can be enjoyed by

beginners and elite athletes alike; and

     WHEREAS, The sport has excelled in diversity and inclusivity with largely coed

competitive events, an active senior circuit, a strong paralympic presence, and events in the

Special Olympics; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has a long history of influence within American table tennis,

including one of the oldest clubs in the US which has been running tournaments and leagues in

the State continuously since the 1930s; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has a robust table tennis community, with an annual high

school championship, active college programs, and players of all ages and abilities who enjoy the

health benefits and enjoyment of playing the sport; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Table Tennis Association actively supports the

community through annual fundraising events, the Senior Olympics, and the RI High School

Championships; now, therefore be it

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

declares April 23, 2026, to be "World Table Tennis Day" in the State of Rhode Island and

encourages all Rhode Islanders to take advantage of the health benefits and camaraderie of

playing this enjoyable sport; and be it further

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

transmit a duly authorized copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Table Tennis Association.

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