05-R 262

2005 -- H 6461

Enacted 05/05/05

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GASPEE DAYS

Introduced By: Representatives Gemma, and McNamara

Date Introduced: May 05, 2005

     WHEREAS, The burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee was one of the boldest and most colorful

incidents in the War for American Independence. On the night of June 9, 1772, Rhode Islanders

captured and destroyed the last of the hated British vessels that had harassed Rhode Island since

the days of the hated Stamp Act. This act of defiance off Namquid Point was the supreme act of

protest against the tyranny of the British Crown, and provided a strong impetus to the movement

of the American colonies toward independence; and

     WHEREAS, The burning of the Gaspee led to the formation of the Committee of

Correspondence, the Continental Congress and eventually, to the Declaration of Independence.

Two hundred and thirty-one years later, the memory of this incendiary act still fires the hearts and

minds of the residents of historic Pawtuxet Village; and

     WHEREAS, Legislation was enacted by the general assembly which designated the

second Saturday and the following Sunday in the month of June each year as days of special

observance to be known as Gaspee Days; and

     WHEREAS, On the afternoon of Thursday, May 5, 2005 the Gaspee Days Committee

will be launching this year's commemoration of the event with their annual Proclamation

Ceremony in the State House Rotunda; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby celebrates the opening of the 40th annual celebration of Gaspee

Days. This House, moreover, urges the patriotic citizens of the Ocean State to fully participate in

the commemoration of this momentous event in the history of our state and the nation; and be it

further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Proclamation Chairman of the Gaspee Days

Committee.

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LC03243

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