2026 -- H 8539

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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

CONGRATULATING THAWN SHERENTÉ HARRIS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING

THE 2026 BOSTON MARATHON AND HONORING THE LEGACY OF HIS GREAT-

UNCLE, ELLISON "TARZAN" BROWN

     Introduced By: Representatives Spears, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Donovan,
Speakman, Boylan, Carson, Cotter, and McEntee

     Date Introduced: May 12, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Thawn Sherenté Harris of Charlestown, a proud member of the Narragansett

Indian Tribe, successfully completed the Boston Marathon, one of the world’s most historic and

challenging long-distance races; and

     WHEREAS, Thawn completed the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon course with an impressive

official finish time of 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, finishing in under four hours, and is

only the third member of the Narragansett Tribe to complete the race while achieving the second-

fastest recorded time among them; and

     WHEREAS, This achievement was undertaken as both a personal milestone and a

ceremonial journey to honor his great-uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, and to commemorate the

90th anniversary of Tarzan Brown’s first Boston Marathon victory; and

     WHEREAS, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown rose to national prominence in the 1930s, winning

the Boston Marathon in 1936 and again in 1939, and competing in the 1936 Olympic Games,

while bringing recognition and pride to the Narragansett people; and

     WHEREAS, Tarzan Brown’s 1936 victory included his legendary passing of race

favorite Johnny Kelley on the hills of Newton, an iconic moment that gave rise to what is now

known as “Heartbreak Hill”; and

     WHEREAS, In completing the Boston Marathon, Thawn symbolically followed in his

great-uncle’s footsteps along that same historic stretch, retracing the site of one of Brown's most

celebrated achievements; and

     WHEREAS, Thawn is among the first direct relatives of Tarzan Brown in generations to

run the Boston Marathon, further underscoring the significance of his accomplishment and its

connection to Rhode Island history, marking the first time in ninety years that a direct descendant

has undertaken this historic race; and

     WHEREAS, A tribal storyteller, educator, and cultural leader within the Narragansett

community, Thawn Sherenté Harris approached the marathon as a ceremonial act reflecting a

deep commitment to heritage, perseverance, and representation, running “for the people” while

carrying the Narragansett flag over the finish line; and

     WHEREAS, In a powerful tribute to his great-uncle, Thawn also crossed the finish line

barefoot, carrying his sneakers, in remembrance of Tarzan Brown’s first Boston Marathon in

1935 when he ran the final miles without shoes; and

     WHEREAS, Despite recovering from an ACL injury and training for only three and a

half months, while also overcoming double lateral meniscus tears, Thawn demonstrated

extraordinary perseverance in preparing for and completing the marathon; and

     WHEREAS, His preparation included training through the historic Blizzard of 2026,

which set a new record as the largest snowfall in Rhode Island history, and repeatedly running the

hills of Newton, including a final 21-mile training run during which he ascended Heartbreak Hill

three times in prayer and ceremony; and

     WHEREAS, Thawn’s journey was supported by his family and friends, including his

wife, Eleanor Dove Harris, and their seven children, as well as by the Narragansett Indian Tribe,

the Town of Charlestown, the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, the Wakefield

Running Club, and many supporters from across Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, His accomplishment serves as a significant tribute to his great-uncle’s

enduring legacy and as an inspiration to future generations to pursue excellence while honoring

their cultural identity and history, and stands as a testament to perseverance, heritage, and

Indigenous visibility; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates Thawn Sherenté Harris on successfully completing the Boston Marathon and

honors him for proudly continuing the legacy of his great-uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown; 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 Thawn Sherenté Harris.

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