SENATE 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

S2513

2026 -- S 2513
========
LC005033
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
S E N A T 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:
Senators Ujifusa, Raptakis, Urso, Vargas, Tikoian, Thompson, Paolino,
Dimitri, McKenney, and Bissaillon

Date Introduced:
February 10, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
1
WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the role of Black people in every aspect of
2
American history since the colonial days; and
3
WHEREAS, There is little public awareness of the contributions of Black people during
4
the American Revolutionary War; and
5
WHEREAS, Despite the horrors of enslavement suffered by Black people in America,
6
some fought to gain their freedom, as well as American Independence, by becoming members of
7
the 1st Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolutionary War; and
8
WHEREAS, The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was an integrated unit composed of Black,
9
White and Indigenous soldiers, who served together from 1778 through the end of the war in
10
1783; and
11
WHEREAS, In August of 1778, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment stood bravely on the right
12
flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three Hessian
13
charges and held the line against the British forces to “distinguish itself with deeds of great
14
valor”; and
15
WHEREAS, The Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker
16
Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island Slave History
17
Medallions Project, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, the Portsmouth Historical Society and
18
other historical organizations have been working to educate the public about enslaved people in

1
Rhode Island and their contribution to the establishment of America during the colonial period;
2
and
3
WHEREAS, This year marks the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
4
Independence in 1776, it is important to ensure that the history and contributions of Black people
5
during the American Revolutionary War not be forgotten; now, therefore be it
6
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes February
7
10, 2026, as "The 3rd Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day" to commemorate the
8
contributions of Black soldiers during the American Revolutionary War; and be it further
9
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby expresses its deep gratitude to the Black soldiers
10
who served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and recognizes that this history must be made more
11
known and never be forgotten; and be it further
12
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
13
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald Trump, President of the
14
United States, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the Honorable Daniel McKee,
15
Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle
16
Passage Port Marker Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island
17
Slave History Medallions organization, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, and the
18
Portsmouth Historical Society.
========
LC005033
========

LC005033 - Page 2 of 2