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H8539
2026 -- H 8539
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LC006370
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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
CONGRATULATING THAWN SHERENTÉ HARRIS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING
THE 2026 BOSTON MARATHON AND HONORING THE LEGACY OF HIS GREAT-
UNCLE, ELLISON "TARZAN" BROWN
Introduced By:
Representatives Spears, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Donovan,
Speakman, Boylan, Carson, Cotter, and McEntee
Date Introduced:
May 12, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Thawn Sherenté Harris of Charlestown, a proud member of the Narragansett
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Indian Tribe, successfully completed the Boston Marathon, one of the world’s most historic and
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challenging long-distance races; and
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WHEREAS, Thawn completed the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon course with an impressive
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official finish time of 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, finishing in under four hours, and is
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only the third member of the Narragansett Tribe to complete the race while achieving the second-
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fastest recorded time among them; and
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WHEREAS, This achievement was undertaken as both a personal milestone and a
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ceremonial journey to honor his great-uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, and to commemorate the
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90th anniversary of Tarzan Brown’s first Boston Marathon victory; and
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WHEREAS, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown rose to national prominence in the 1930s, winning
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the Boston Marathon in 1936 and again in 1939, and competing in the 1936 Olympic Games,
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while bringing recognition and pride to the Narragansett people; and
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WHEREAS, Tarzan Brown’s 1936 victory included his legendary passing of race
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favorite Johnny Kelley on the hills of Newton, an iconic moment that gave rise to what is now
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known as “Heartbreak Hill”; and
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WHEREAS, In completing the Boston Marathon, Thawn symbolically followed in his
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great-uncle’s footsteps along that same historic stretch, retracing the site of one of Brown's most
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celebrated achievements; and
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WHEREAS, Thawn is among the first direct relatives of Tarzan Brown in generations to
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run the Boston Marathon, further underscoring the significance of his accomplishment and its
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connection to Rhode Island history, marking the first time in ninety years that a direct descendant
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has undertaken this historic race; and
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WHEREAS, A tribal storyteller, educator, and cultural leader within the Narragansett
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community, Thawn Sherenté Harris approached the marathon as a ceremonial act reflecting a
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deep commitment to heritage, perseverance, and representation, running “for the people” while
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carrying the Narragansett flag over the finish line; and
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WHEREAS, In a powerful tribute to his great-uncle, Thawn also crossed the finish line
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barefoot, carrying his sneakers, in remembrance of Tarzan Brown’s first Boston Marathon in
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1935 when he ran the final miles without shoes; and
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WHEREAS, Despite recovering from an ACL injury and training for only three and a
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half months, while also overcoming double lateral meniscus tears, Thawn demonstrated
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extraordinary perseverance in preparing for and completing the marathon; and
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WHEREAS, His preparation included training through the historic Blizzard of 2026,
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which set a new record as the largest snowfall in Rhode Island history, and repeatedly running the
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hills of Newton, including a final 21-mile training run during which he ascended Heartbreak Hill
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three times in prayer and ceremony; and
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WHEREAS, Thawn’s journey was supported by his family and friends, including his
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wife, Eleanor Dove Harris, and their seven children, as well as by the Narragansett Indian Tribe,
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the Town of Charlestown, the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, the Wakefield
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Running Club, and many supporters from across Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, His accomplishment serves as a significant tribute to his great-uncle’s
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enduring legacy and as an inspiration to future generations to pursue excellence while honoring
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their cultural identity and history, and stands as a testament to perseverance, heritage, and
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Indigenous visibility; 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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congratulates Thawn Sherenté Harris on successfully completing the Boston Marathon and
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honors him for proudly continuing the legacy of his great-uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown; and be
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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 Thawn Sherenté Harris.
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LC006370
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