HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING LA FRANCOPHONIE FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026

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2026 -- H 8357
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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
CELEBRATING LA FRANCOPHONIE FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT THE RHODE
ISLAND STATE HOUSE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026

Introduced By:
Representatives Phillips, Casey, J. Brien, Cruz, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Kennedy, Tanzi, and Solomon

Date Introduced:
March 26, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The “Levee de Drapeau”, Flag Raising ceremony provides a day to
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celebrate “La Francophonie”, the French-Speaking World and is dedicated to French culture and
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the French language which unifies people on five continents; and
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WHEREAS, French is the second-most widely spoken mother tongue in the European
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Union, and is the primary or secondary language for approximately 310 million people across the
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world; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island is home to more than 124,000 residents of French descent,
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9,500 of whom are proud and skilled in the French language, and this multitude of linguistic
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diversity in our state has served to strengthen us culturally, economically, and intellectually; and
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WHEREAS, Beginning in 1901, the Alliance Française of Providence, a French cultural
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center that serves the Providence community, has been helping to “promote the French and
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Francophone culture and language” and “establish and nurture ties of friendship with our
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American friends”; and
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WHEREAS, The Alliance has more than 250 members and 2,500 friends in Rhode Island
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and offers French classes, monthly luncheons, opportunities to enjoy French conversation, art
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appreciation events, and a variety of cultural celebrations; and
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WHEREAS, French culture has played a significant role with contributions in cinema,
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fashion, cuisine, literature, technology, the social sciences and mathematics and is a valued
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component to Rhode Island’s vibrancy, economy, and diversity; 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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welcomes and joins the Consul of France, members of the Alliance Française de Providence and
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all Rhode Islanders in commemorating La Francophonie Flag Raising Ceremony and celebrating
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the French language and culture in Rhode Island; 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 a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Alliance Française de Providence.
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