HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 10, 2026, AS "THE 3RD RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT/BLACK REGIMENT RECOGNITION DAY" TO COMMEMORATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK SOLDIERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 10, 2026, AS "THE 3RD RHODE ISLAND
REGIMENT/BLACK REGIMENT RECOGNITION DAY" TO COMMEMORATE THE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK SOLDIERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY
WAR

Introduced By:
Representatives Stewart, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Biah,
Felix, Alzate, Morales, Hull, and Diaz

Date Introduced:
February 10, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the role of Black people in every aspect of
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American history since the colonial days; and
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WHEREAS, There is little public awareness of the contributions of Black people during
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the American Revolutionary War; and
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WHEREAS, Despite the horrors of enslavement suffered by Black people in America,
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some fought to gain their freedom, as well as American Independence, by becoming members of
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the 1st Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolutionary War; and
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WHEREAS, The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was an integrated unit composed of Black,
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White and Indigenous soldiers, who served together from 1778 through the end of the war in
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1783; and
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WHEREAS, In August of 1778, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment stood bravely on the right
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flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three Hessian
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charges and held the line against the British forces to “distinguish itself with deeds of great
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valor”; and
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WHEREAS, The Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker
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Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island Slave History
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Medallions Project, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, the Portsmouth Historical Society and
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other historical organizations have been working to educate the public about enslaved people in

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Rhode Island and their contribution to the establishment of America during the colonial period;
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and
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WHEREAS, This year marks the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
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Independence in 1776, it is important to ensure that the history and contributions of Black people
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during the American Revolutionary War not be forgotten; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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recognizes February 10, 2026, as "The 3rd Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day" to
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commemorate the contributions of Black soldiers during the American Revolutionary War; and
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be it further
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RESOLVED, That this House hereby expresses its deep gratitude to the Black soldiers
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who served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and recognizes that this history must be made more
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known and never be forgotten; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald Trump, President of the
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United States, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the Honorable Daniel McKee,
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Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle
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Passage Port Marker Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island
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Slave History Medallions organization, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, and the
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Portsmouth Historical Society.
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