07-R200

2007 -- H 6310

Enacted 04/25/07

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

PROCLAIMING APRIL 25, 2007 TO BE "DONNA LANGE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Gablinske, and Gallison

Date Introduced: April 25, 2007

     WHEREAS, The vessel called Inspired Insanity, a 28' Southern Cross Sloop, built,

repaired and outfitted in Bristol, Rhode Island, set sail on July 5, 2005 from St. Thomas in the

British Virgin Islands and stopped off in Rhode Island for provisions and repairs with Captain

Donna Lange at the helm; and

     WHEREAS, Donna's solo sail around the world, via the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn

and the Roaring 40's in the Southern Ocean, ended successfully when she reached the British

Virgin Islands in April 2007 and then headed for Rhode Island again for her official welcome

home ceremony on April 28, 2007; and

     WHEREAS, This amazing solo circumnavigation covered 31,000 nautical miles on the

smallest sailboat traveling the longest nonstop distance from Rhode Island to New Zealand was

completed with only two stops; and

     WHEREAS, This amazing trip was not Captain Donna Lange's first solo accomplishment

on her sloop Inspired Insanity. In 2001, she circumnavigated the North Atlantic Ocean on a solo

trip from St. John, British Virgin Islands back to St. John covering 12,000 nautical miles via

Newport, Rhode Island, Ireland and the Cape Verde Islands; and

     WHEREAS, Donna Lange's extraordinary accomplishment brings credit not only to

herself, but to Bristol's maritime service industry and the entire State of Rhode Island. She now

joins the ranks of solo mariners which have been honored by receiving the Joshua Slocum

Society's "Golden Circle" Award; and such mariners as, John Byron, the first man to complete the

journey in less than two years, and Teddy Seymour, the first African-American to complete the

circumnavigation; and

     WHEREAS, Though alone for the ten plus months at sea, Donna was seldom lonely. She

was able to stay in almost constant communication with her family, friends and sponsors via a

satellite telephone and the internet with a website dedicated to tracking her voyage; and

     WHEREAS, This mother of four and grandmother of two children is also a professional

musician, who plays several instruments, and is an accomplished Irish folk singer and songwriter,

and attained her Nursing degree with honors; and

     WHEREAS, Donna Lange dared to dream, but more importantly she made her dreams

come true. She is a remarkable person, a champion sailor, and an inspiration to us all. She is truly

deserving of our recognition and praise; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 25, 2007 to be "Donna Lange Day" in honor of the

completion of her historic eighteen month solo circumnavigation. We furthermore wish her good

health, much happiness, and continued success in all her future endeavors; 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 Captain Donna Lange.

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LC02644

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