07-R222

2007 -- H 6357

Enacted 05/02/07

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

COMMEMORATING THE 42ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GASPEE DAYS

Introduced By: Representatives Gemma, Trillo, Ginaitt, and Naughton

Date Introduced: May 02, 2007

     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 schooner HMS Gaspee, the last of the hated British vessels that had

harassed Rhode Island since the days of the 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-four 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 to designate the second

Saturday and the following Sunday in the month of June each year as a day of special observance

to be known as Gaspee Days; and

     WHEREAS, The Gaspee Days Committee will be launching this year's commemoration

of the event with their annual Proclamation Ceremony in the State House Rotunda on the

afternoon of Thursday, May 3rd; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the opening of the 42nd annual celebration of

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

fully in the festivities honoring 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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LC03013

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