2025 -- H 5411
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LC000984
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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
PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 11, 2025, AS "THE 2ND RHODE ISLAND
REGIMENT/BLACK REGIM ENT RECOGNITION DAY" TO COMMEMORATE THE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK SOLDIERS DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTI ONARY
WAR
Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, Morales, Hull, Abney, Biah, J. Lombardi,
Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, and Tanzi
Date Introduced: February 11, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the role of Black people in every aspect of 1
American history since the colonial days; and 2
WHEREAS, There is little public awareness of the contributions of Black people during 3
the American Revolutionary War; and 4
WHEREAS, Despite the horrors of enslavement suffered by Black people in America, 5
some fought to gain their freedom, as well as American Independence, by becoming members of 6
the 1st Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolutionary War; and 7
WHEREAS, The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was an integrated unit composed of Black, 8
White and Indigenous soldiers, who served together from 1778 through the end of the war in 9
1783; and 10
WHEREAS, In August of 1778, the First Rhode Island Regiment stood bravely on the 11
right flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three Hessian 12
charges and held the line against the British forces to “distinguish itself with deeds of great 13
valor”; and 14
WHEREAS, The Newport County NAACP, the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker 15
Project, the Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker Project, the Rhode Island Slave History 16
Medallions Project, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, the Portsmouth Historical Society and 17
other historical organizations have been working to educate the public about enslaved people in 18
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Rhode Island and their contribution to the establishment of America during the colonial period; 1
and 2
WHEREAS, As the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 3
in 1776 approaches, it is important to ensure that the history and contributions of Black people 4
during the American Revolutionary War not be forgotten; now, therefore be it 5
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 6
recognizes February 11, 2025, as "The 2
nd
Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day" to 7
commemorate the contributions of Black soldiers during the American Revolutionary War; and 8
be it further 9
RESOLVED, That this House 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. 19
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LC000984
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