R 035

2016 -- H 7350 Enacted 01/27/2016

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2016, TO BE "HISTORIC CEMETERY RESTORATION/AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representative Antonio Giarrusso

Date Introduced: January 27, 2016

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

considers our states cemeteries to be "among Rhode Island's most unique and most overlooked

historic resources"; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, a state cemetery commission was established in order to locate and

register historical cemeteries throughout the state. By 1958, the commission had found 1,704

cemeteries; and

WHEREAS, By 1990, the state cemetery commission, under the direction of John

Sterling, and in conjunction with a group comprised of forty volunteers, "set out to record and

computerize all of the gravestones in historical cemeteries around the state." As of today, they

have found, registered, and recorded the gravestones in 3,046 cemeteries across the state; and

WHEREAS, In December of 2013, the East Greenwich Historic Cemetery Advisory

Commission was formed in order to restore, rehabilitate, and raise awareness for the need to

preserve the ninety-five historic cemeteries located in the area; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two years, the organization, with the help of numerous

dedicated volunteers, has restored approximately thirty of these cemeteries; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island's historic cemeteries are a rich source of local history and the

place of eternal rest for many of our state's original settlers. They deserve our respect, restoration,

and maintenance; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby thanks and recognizes the East Greenwich Historic Cemetery

Advisory Commission on their dedicated efforts to restore and rehabilitate historic cemeteries in

our state; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby proclaims Saturday, April 16, 2016, to be "Historic

Cemetery Restoration/Awareness Day" and urges the citizens of the state to observe this day with

appropriate ceremonies and activities that raise awareness for the cultural, architectural, and

archaeological importance, and the need to preserve and restore the historic cemeteries in our

state; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Jason Beaumier, East Greenwich Historic

Cemetery Advisory Commission.

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LC004311

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