| R 361 |
| 2025 -- H 6412 Enacted 06/12/2025 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CELEBRATING THE NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM’S RECOGNITION OF THE HEROIC EFFORTS OF IDA LEWIS WITH THE "PAST LIGHT KEEPER AWARD" |
Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Abney, Shallcross Smith, Tanzi, Ajello, Fellela, and Felix |
| Date Introduced: June 12, 2025 |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders are well aware of the majesty of our coastline and the |
| prominent place our shores have always occupied in the vibrancy of our State's economy and in |
| our quality of life; and |
| WHEREAS, Many an Ocean State resident, as well as countless tourists, have enjoyed |
| visiting one or more of the active and inactive scenic lighthouses that dot the State's shores and |
| remind us of Rhode Island’s rich nautical heritage; and |
| WHEREAS, The National Lighthouse Museum was established to promote and support |
| historical, educational, cultural, recreational, and other activities relating to the important role |
| lighthouses have and continue to hold in the security of our coastline; and |
| WHEREAS, This year at the 15th annual Lightkeeper’s Gala, held during Lighthouse |
| Recognition Week, the National Lighthouse Museum will bestow the "Past Light Keeper Award" |
| in memory of Ida Lewis for her extraordinary and heroic efforts as the Light Keeper at the |
| Limerock Light; and |
| WHEREAS, Ida Lewis was born in the City of Newport. By age 15, she had become |
| known as the best swimmer in the City and soon thereafter, became famous as a one-woman life |
| boat station for making numerous daring rescues of those in trouble in the waters of Newport |
| Harbor while assisting her father who was the official keeper of what was then known as Lime |
| Rock Light House; and |
| WHEREAS, Ida Lewis is credited with saving eighteen lives over the length of her |
| career. Unofficially, she had rescued many others, and earned the title of "the bravest Woman in |
| America" and was the first woman to be awarded the "Gold Lifesaving Medal" from the United |
| States Government; and |
| WHEREAS, In 1924, the Rhode Island General Assembly officially changed the name of |
| Lime Rock to Ida Lewis Rock and the lighthouse service subsequently changed the name of the |
| Lime Rock Lighthouse to the Ida Lewis Rock Lighthouse in her honor; and |
| WHEREAS, The Ida Lewis Rock Lighthouse is now home to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club |
| and remains a stately beacon that has guided and protected mariners since the 1850s, and is |
| considered a great source of pride for the City and residents of Newport; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| joins in celebrating the National Lighthouse Museum’s recognition of the heroic efforts of Ida |
| Lewis with the "Past Light Keeper Award"; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and is hereby authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Commodore Christopher W. Arner, Ida Lewis |
| Yacht Club. |
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| LC003057 |
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