| R 220 |
| 2026 -- H 8398 Enacted 04/02/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF LAW, SCHOOL OF JUSTICE STUDIES, AND EXTENSION SCHOOL AND COMMEMORATING RWU LAW AND JUSTICE DAY ON APRIL 2, 2026 |
Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Donovan, Kennedy, Ajello, Fellela, Shallcross Smith, and Serpa |
| Date Introduced: April 02, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, Roger Williams University School of Law was founded in 1993 in Bristol |
| and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1997 and a member of the |
| Association of American Law Schools since 2006; and |
| WHEREAS, RWU Law is the only law school in the State of Rhode Island and offers the |
| Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degrees, as well as joint JD-master’s |
| degree programs in conjunction with Roger Williams University and the University of Rhode |
| Island; and |
| WHEREAS, RWU Law is nationally recognized for its innovative and service-oriented |
| curriculum, including its seven legal clinics, ten legal externship programs, and numerous pro |
| bono programs that provide legal services and improve access to justice for underserved Rhode |
| Islanders, as well as for its groundbreaking coursework and programming on how matters of race |
| have shaped American law; and |
| WHEREAS, Roger Williams University’s School of Justice Studies offers multiple |
| degree programs related to law and justice, including Criminal Justice, Digital Forensics, |
| Forensic Science, Leadership, Legal Studies, Political Science, and Public Administration, as well |
| as a Public Policy Certificate, thereby serving as a leading provider of essential education and |
| training in these and other critically important fields for Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, Roger Williams University’s Extension School offers multiple degree and |
| certificate programs related to law and justice, including Community Development, Community |
| Policing, Corrections Agency Administration, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Homeland |
| Security, Police Agency Administration, Policing and Public Safety, Professional Legal Studies, |
| and Public Administration, thereby providing Rhode Islanders with essential educational and |
| career opportunities; and |
| WHEREAS, All three schools are committed to offering dynamic collaborative |
| programming to improve educational and career opportunities for students and residents in Rhode |
| Island, in order to provide significant pathways to the legal profession and justice-related |
| professions; and |
| WHEREAS, All three schools hosted RWU Day of Law and Justice on April 2, 2026, to |
| highlight the importance of legal and justice-related professions, promote access to justice, and |
| celebrate their collective contributions to the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes and commemorates RWU Law and Justice Day on April 2, 2026, and honors Roger |
| Williams University’s School of Law, School of Justice Studies, and Extension School for their |
| important contributions to legal and justice-related professions, public service, and the people of |
| the State of Rhode Island; 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 Roger Williams University. |
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| LC006275 |
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