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H8631
2026 -- H 8631
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LC006118
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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
COMMEMORATING THE 61ST ANNUAL GASPEE DAYS CELEBRATION AND THE
MOMENTOUS 254TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BURNING OF THE GASPEE
Introduced By:
Representatives McNamara, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale,
Paplauskas, Hopkins, Place, Fascia, Roberts, and Nardone
Date Introduced:
June 11, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, On the night of June 9, 1772, brave Rhode Island colonists captured and
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burned the reviled British revenue schooner, H.M.S. Gaspee, in one of the boldest and most
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colorful victories in our country's War for American Independence; and
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WHEREAS, The Gaspee had been harassing Rhode Island since the days of the Stamp
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Act. Its burning off Namquid Point was an ultimate act of defiance and has become renowned as
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the first blood shed during the American Revolution and America's "First Blow for Freedom".
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The colonists actions were a supreme act of protest against the tyranny of the British Crown, and
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they provided a strong impetus in the movement of the American colonies toward independence;
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and
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WHEREAS, The burning of H.M.S. Gaspee led to the formation of a Committee of
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Correspondence, which in turn led to the establishment of the Continental Congress, and,
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eventually, to the Declaration of Independence; and
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WHEREAS, Today, two hundred and fifty-four years later, the memory of this
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incendiary act still fires the hearts and minds of the residents of historic Pawtuxet Village, and
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since 1965, the village has memorialized the event with an annual Gaspee Days Celebration. This
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year's festivities will include a firework extravaganza, a 5K road race, live music, including a
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symphony in the park, and an Arts & Crafts Festival, with the highlight being the Gaspee Days
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parade. Also featured is the burning of the Gaspee in effigy, as well as a Revolutionary War
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militia encampment, fife and drum bands, and so much more; and
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WHEREAS, In 1995, legislation was enacted by the Rhode Island General Assembly to
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annually designate the second Saturday and the following Sunday in the month of June as Days of
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Special Observance to be known as Gaspee Days; 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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commemorates the 61st annual celebration of Gaspee Days and the 254th Anniversary of the
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Burning of the Gaspee. We moreover urge the patriotic citizens of the Ocean State to participate
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in the festivities honoring this momentous event in the history of our state and our nation; 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 the Proclamation Chairman of the Gaspee Days
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Committee.
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LC006118
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