2025 -- H 6140
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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
JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF WPRI-TV ON MARCH 27,
2025
Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale,
Solomon, Casey, Kennedy, Edwards, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith
Date Introduced: March 27, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, WPRI began its operations in the Providence metropolitan region on March 1
27, 1955, as WPRO-TV, before ownership split up the television and radio sides in 1967. WPRI-2
TV was originally owned by the Cherry & Webb Department store chain; and 3
WHEREAS, WPRI-TV began operations by broadcasting newscasts that were only 4
fifteen minutes long, but today produces more than 60 hours of original and critically acclaimed 5
programming each week; and 6
WHEREAS, WPRI-TV was originally located in Providence on the top floor of 24 7
Mason Street in downtown Providence from 1955 to 1974, before moving to East Providence into 8
the same headquarters from which they operate today; and 9
WHEREAS, Throughout the decades, WPRI-TV has been the home of many of the most 10
prominent and beloved broadcasters including legendary Salty Brine, as well as Hank Bouchard, 11
Mort Blender, Walter Cryan, Karen Adams, Jack White, Mike Gorman, Phil Wilson, and 12
numerous other talented broadcasters and journalists; and 13
WHEREAS, The current team of talented on-air news broadcasters at WPRI-TV include 14
anchors Shannon Hegy, and Mike Montecalvo, investigative reporters Tim White and Ted Nesi, 15
and Meteorologist Tony Petrarca as well as many other talented contributors; and 16
WHEREAS, WPRI-TV has always made a strong commitment to produce local shows 17
and to serve the local community. In addition to its regular newscasts, WPRI-TV has produced 18
such famous shows as “Salty’s Shack” and “Romper Room” to “Newsmakers” and “The Rhode 19
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Show”; and 1
WHEREAS, WPRI-TV has distinguished itself from its competition through its 2
commitment to investigative reporting and its extensive political coverage, which has included 3
decades of live televised debates, informing and enlightening multiple generations. WPRI-TV has 4
also broadcast the Meeting Street Telethon annually since the 1970s; now, therefore be it 5
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 6
joyously congratulates WPRI-TV on its 70th Anniversary on March 27, 2025, for providing the 7
Rhode Island and Southern New England communities with reliable, accurate and informative 8
news; and be it further 9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 10
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to WPRI-TV General Manager, Patrick Wholey. 11
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