2025 -- H 5153
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO THE MARZILLI FAMILY FOR
MORE THAN SIX DECADE S OF WONDERFUL MEMOR IES AND DELIZIOSO FINE
DINING AT MARZILLI'S OLD CANTEEN
Introduced By: Representatives J. Lombardi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Paplauskas, Nardone, Roberts, Newberry, Fascia, and Santucci
Date Introduced: January 23, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, With heavy hearts, Rhode Islanders and visitors to Providence’s Federal 1
Hill are bidding farewell to Marzilli’s Old Canteen, a local landmark and a gustoso “Italian 2
Tradition”; and 3
WHEREAS, A legendary Federal Hill landmark, the Old Canteen was founded in 1956 4
by Joe Marzilli, and over the past twenty years, has been operated by his son, Sal; and 5
WHEREAS, The Old Canteen employed the wondrous flavors of Italy to evoke feelings 6
of warmth, family, and togetherness to all who passed through their doors; and 7
WHEREAS, In 2002, Joe Marzilli was honored as a "Culinary Legend" by Johnson & 8
Wales University for his classic bowls of pasta fagioli and escarole and beans, as well as iconic 9
cacciatores, lasagnas and braciole, which were favored traditional grandma dishes always on the 10
menu; and 11
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, hundreds of national and state celebrities and 12
thousands of local citizens and officials dined and gathered at the Old Canteen; and 13
WHEREAS, Generations of Rhode Island regulars at the restaurant have celebrated 14
family events at what they considered to be their family’s second dining room, often making it 15
nearly impossible to get a table reservation on a Friday or Saturday evening; now, therefore be it 16
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 17
joins countless admirers and classic Italian foodies in thanking the Marzilli Family for almost 18
seventy years of "the smell of garlic, the sizzle of olive oil, and the warmth of a good meal" and 19
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wishing them the best in all their future endeavors; and be it further 1
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 2
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Sal Marzilli and Family. 3
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