06-R 344

2006 -- S 3186

Enacted 06/21/06

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

PROCLAIMING AUGUST 14-19, 2006 TO BE "OLD ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS

ASSOCIATION week" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Elizabeth H. Roberts

Date Introduced: June 20, 2006

      WHEREAS, The men and women who have conducted exploration and research on the

continent of Antarctica, and those who have supported that exploration and research while in

Antarctica, have come to be known as Old Antarctic Explorers, or OAEs; and

       WHEREAS, Many OAEs served in Antarctica, or on “The Ice,” while assigned to

military commands home ported at the former Quonset Point Naval Air Station, and the former

Seabee camps at the Naval Base in Davisville; and

       WHEREAS, Many of these OAEs, who were once stationed in Rhode Island, have united

to help found the Old Antarctic Explorers Association (OAEA); and

       WHEREAS, The OAEA is dedicated to establishing and perpetuating public awareness

for the “Courage, Sacrifice, and Devotion” that its members exhibited while supporting Antarctic

Research; and

       WHEREAS, The OAEA is also dedicated to identifying, obtaining, preserving, and

displaying Antarctic-related artifacts and memorabilia; and

       WHEREAS, The OAEA is committed to sustaining the memory and sharing the

experience of those personnel, both military and civilian from all nations, who served or are

serving in support of Antarctic Research; and

       WHEREAS, A primary goal of the OAEA is to perpetuate the memory of all the OAEs

who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties, while serving their country in Antarctica. They

hope to preserve for posterity, the remembrance of the OAEs dedication, deeds, and supreme

sacrifice, as a source of motivation towards greater accomplishments; and

       WHEREAS, OAEA members from around the world are gathering in Warwick during

the third week of August in 2006 in order to conduct their 3rd National Symposium/Reunion;

now, therefore be it

       RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims August 14-19, 2006 to be the “Old Antarctic Explorers Association Week” in the

State of Rhode Island, and furthermore urges all citizens of the state to join us in this special

commemoration; 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 Old Antarctic Explorers Association.

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LC03530

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