R 248

2019 -- H 6052 Enacted 05/01/2019

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE CRANSTON HISTORICAL CEMETERY COMMISSION'S DEDICATION AT HISTORIC CEMETRY #36 – CAPTAIN PHILIP SHELDON LOT

Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Quattrocchi, Millea, Jacquard, and Lima

Date Introduced: May 01, 2019

WHEREAS, The Cranston Historical Cemetery Commission was established by the

Cranston City Council and is a group of volunteers appointed by the city to locate, assess,

document, and supply signage for Cranston’s historic cemeteries; and

WHEREAS, The Commission also provides leadership for all citizens who volunteer to

do work assisting in the maintenance and care of the City's historical cemeteries; and

WHEREAS, On May 5, 2019, a ceremony and dedication of the Captain Philip Sheldon

Lot will honor four outstanding veterans who helped to secure America's independence, and who

are interred there; and

WHEREAS, In preparation for the event, extensive restoration work comprised of myriad

in-kind donations including, the rebuilding of the stairway down to the cemetery by the

Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local 3, brush clean-up by numerous volunteers, and in-depth

research by the Commission in order to identify relatives of the Sheldon Family and honored

veterans who served during the American War of Independence, was donated and completed; and

WHEREAS, The four heroic veterans being honored are Captain Philip Sheldon, Captain

James Hawkins, Captain Elisha Arnold, and Captain Jonathan Pitcher, who is credited as being

one of the "Founding Fathers" of the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, The dedication of the Cranston Discovery Network sign which describes the

importance of the cemetery is also being unveiled; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and right to pay homage to those Americans who proffered their

extraordinary service, sacrifice, and heroics in defense of our freedom, and to maintain and

document this austerely beautiful place for them to rest for eternity; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the Cranston Historical Cemetery Commission's

dedication at Historic Cemetery #36 – Captain Philip Sheldon Lot; 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 Gregg A. Mierka, Chair of the Cranston

Historical Cemetery Commission.

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LC002527

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