| R 227 |
| 2026 -- H 8410 Enacted 04/07/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE THE "MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Finkelman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Paplauskas, Azzinaro, Phillips, Shanley, Noret, and Cortvriend |
| Date Introduced: April 07, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, Across our nation, and here in the State of Rhode Island, children in military |
| families sacrifice much in order to allow their parents to serve our nation and protect our liberty. |
| In this month of April, people are encouraged to show support for our military and veteran |
| children, and to thank them for their strength and the sacrifices they have made and continue to |
| make; and |
| WHEREAS, Approximately two million military children in the United States have |
| experienced a parental deployment since 2001, and currently, approximately 1.6 million have an |
| active-duty parent worldwide. The average military student faces transition challenges every two |
| or three years, and most military children attend six to nine different school systems from |
| kindergarten through the 12th grade. Taking care of our military children sustains our nation's |
| fighting force and strengthens the health and safety of our nation's families and communities; and |
| WHEREAS, The Middletown School District serves the largest number of military kids |
| in the State, with approximately 324 military-connected students, amounting to approximately 15 |
| percent of the student population; and |
| WHEREAS, April 15th is also "PURPLE UP! FOR MILITARY KIDS" Day. The month |
| of April is a time to recognize the service and sacrifices of our military members, their families, |
| and especially their children. "These children deserve our support!" The 2026 theme is "Military |
| Children and Youth: Strength in Every Story". It focuses on celebrating the resilience and |
| experiences of military-connected children; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims April of 2026, to be the "Month of the Military Child" in Rhode Island; and be it |
| further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Middletown School Committee, and |
| Middletown School Superintendent, William J. Niemeyer. |
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| LC004535 |
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