05-R
314
2005 -- S 1157
Enacted 06/08/05
S E N A T E R
E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING JUNE 12, 2005 TO
BE "RHODE ISLAND COLONIAL NAVY DAY"
Introduced By: Senator J.
Michael Lenihan
Date
Introduced: June 08, 2005
WHEREAS,
The General Assembly of the Crown Colony of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, meeting
in session 230 years ago, on June 12, 1775, at the Kent County
Courthouse (now the site of the
East Greenwich Town Hall), created the first Navy in the New
World; and
WHEREAS,
This event led to the creation of the first national Navy in the United States,
forerunner of the modern United
States Navy; and
WHEREAS,
The two naval vessels, authorized by the Rhode Island General Assembly
on June 12, 1775, to comprise
the first Navy, were the flagship Katy and the Washington, manned
by 80 and 30 men respectively;
and
WHEREAS,
Commodore Abraham Whipple received the first naval orders ever issued to
an American Captain, and
another Rhode Islander, Esek Hopkins, was designated Commander-
in-Chief of the new fleet by
the Continental Congress in December of 1775; and
WHEREAS,
The town of East Greenwich has celebrated the creation of the first Navy in
the New World each year since
the 200th Anniversary of the event in 1975; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby recognizes the
historical importance of this event in the development of the Town of East
Greenwich and the State of
Rhode Island by proclaiming Sunday, June 12, 2005 to be "Rhode
Island Colonial Navy
Day"; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this Senate hereby applauds the Town of East Greenwich for the
celebratory Parade and
Ceremonies, being held on Thursday evening at 6:00 pm, June 16, 2005,
in recognition of the 230th
Anniversary of the Creation of the first Navy in the New World, and
furthermore encourages all the
citizens of the state to join in the festivities commemorating this
momentous historic event.
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LC03457
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