| R 352 |
| 2025 -- H 6402 Enacted 06/10/2025 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| COMMEMORATING "WORLD REFUGEE DAY" AND RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF DORCAS INTERNATIONAL OF PROVIDENCE ON JUNE 20TH OF 2025, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Chippendale, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Knight, Slater, Edwards, Handy, Felix, and Batista |
| Date Introduced: June 10, 2025 |
| WHEREAS, World Refugee Day is an international observance designated by the United |
| Nations in order to honor and promote the well-being, resilience, and bravery of refugees and |
| displaced persons around the world; and |
| WHEREAS, This year marks the 74th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention |
| relating to the Status of Refugees which defined the term "refugee" and outlined the rights of |
| refugees; and |
| WHEREAS, World Refugee Day encourages awareness and action for the rights, needs, |
| and hopes of refugees, and is a time to acknowledge the challenges faced by refugees and |
| reaffirm the importance of providing them with protection, assistance, and integration |
| opportunities; and |
| WHEREAS, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island has been providing services |
| and guidance to refugees and immigrants in Rhode Island for over 100 years; and |
| WHEREAS, With programs including Refugee Resettlement, Citizenship and |
| Immigration Legal Services, employment services, English classes, unaccompanied youth |
| support, workforce development training, the Clothing Collaborative, Pinpoint Interpretation and |
| Translation Services, and case management and mental health services for many of our immigrant |
| and refugee neighbors, Dorcas House has demonstrated their deep commitment to creating an |
| inclusive community where all are welcome and have the opportunity to thrive; and |
| WHEREAS, Most refugees integrate and quickly become self-sufficient members of the |
| community by joining the workforce, paying taxes, supporting local commerce, helping to |
| address labor demand in critical industries, and creating new jobs; and |
| WHEREAS, Welcoming those who have been oppressed and persecuted is a tenant of the |
| founding of Rhode Island, which is now home to a diverse population of refugees and immigrants |
| who contribute to the economic strengths and cultural richness of our communities; now, |
| therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| commemorates and reaffirms the goals of "World Refugee Day" on June 20th of 2025, and |
| recognizes and thanks Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island for their commitment to |
| protecting refugees who live without adequate material, social, or legal protections; 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 Kathy Cloutier, CEO of Dorcas International |
| Institute of RI. |
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| LC003039 |
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