2023 -- H 6432
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LC003020
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
HONORING THE 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION OF THE ROSE
ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE, AND THE ROSE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AND FORT HAMILTON
TRUST, FOR THEIR ONGOING CONTRIBUTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION AND EDU CATION AND ACKNOWLED GING THE FOUNDATION'S
CHARITY LICENSE PLATE DRIVE
Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Cortvriend, Finkelman, Kennedy, Tanzi, Fellela, and Kislak
Date Introduced: May 23, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Rose Island is an 18-acre island, comprised of two parcels, located in 1
Newport Harbor in lower Narragansett Bay; and 2
WHEREAS, In 1999, with the help of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental 3
Management (DEM), Parcel 1 was purchased by RILFHT from private owners interested in 4
developing Rose Island and, as part of a conservation easement agreement with the DEM, the 5
Rose Island Wildlife Refuge was established in order to ensure that the island could never be 6
developed, so as to preserve and protect conservation efforts on the island in perpetuity; and 7
WHEREAS, Today, the fauna occupying the island is dominated by birds, including 8
many common passerines (catbirds, sparrows and cardinals), a few shorebirds, gulls, herons, 9
egrets and several species of waterfowl including common eider and Canada goose; and 10
WHEREAS, In 2018, Rose Island received accreditation as an Arboretum from the 11
Newport Tree Conservancy; and 12
WHEREAS, In 1986, Parcel 2 which is owned by the City of Newport and contains the 13
historic lighthouse and approximately 1.5 acres of property surrounding it, was given to RILFHT 14
(then known as “Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation”) by Resolution of the City of Newport to 15
“rehabilitate, maintain, and operate the Rose Island Lighthouse”; and 16
WHEREAS, The Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust (RILFHT) is a 17
federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and a Rhode Island nonprofit 18
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corporation organized under the provisions of R.I.G.L. Chapter 6 of title 7; and 1
WHEREAS, August 7, 2023 will mark the 30th Anniversary of the complete restoration 2
and relighting of the Rose Island Lighthouse which is now listed on the National Register of 3
Historic Places, and open to the public during the spring and summer as a witness to maritime life 4
and history of the late 19th and early 20th century; and 5
WHEREAS, Today, the buildings and grounds are primarily used as a living museum and 6
educational retreat, as well as rustic overnight accommodations similar to that of a camp; and 7
WHEREAS, Two out of the four rentable rooms the RILFHT offers do not have 8
electricity and guests are required to pump water and use outhouses; giving visitors and overnight 9
guests alike the ability to experience, first-hand, what it was like living at the turn of the century 10
without running water and electricity, as well as the chance to compare and contrast “old 11
fashioned” sustainability practices with modern methods, while learning the importance of basic 12
conservation principles; and 13
WHEREAS, All proceeds go directly back into the charity to help maintain the 14
organization’s educational and environmental missions; now, therefore be it 15
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 16
celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the restoration of the Rose Island Lighthouse and 17
acknowledges and honors the dedication and determination of the Rose Island Lighthouse and 18
Fort Hamilton Trust in their continuing tradition of maintaining this important Rhode Island 19
maritime landmark, as well as their environmental stewardship of more than 17 acres of wildlife 20
refuge, and their continued commitment and efforts to offer the buildings and grounds as a living 21
museum and educational retreat, as well as offering rustic overnight accommodations to the 22
public; and be it further 23
RESOLVED, That this House hereby encourages Rhode Islanders to learn more about 24
RILFHT’s charity license plate drive and the island itself by visiting www.RoseIsland.org; and be 25
it further 26
RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 27
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton 28
Trust. 29
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