2025 -- S 0591 SUBSTITUTE A
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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
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO RENAMING THE NEW SAKONNET RIV ER BRIDGE, AQUIDNECK
ISLAND
Introduced By: Senators Felag, DiPalma, Lauria, Raptakis, Tikoian, and Euer
Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
WHEREAS, Throughout the centuries, dedications and memorials have served as tributes 1
to prominent heroes who have woven the rich fabric or an area or people’s history; and 2
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts is just such a laudable and heroic individual; 3
and 4
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts, a resident of Newport, Rhode Island and 5
subsequently Tiverton, Rhode Island, and a member of Alpha Battery, 1
st
Battalion, 103D Field 6
Artillery Regiment, 39
th
Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, made the ultimate sacrifice while engaging 7
enemy forces in combat operations near Taji, Iraq. 8
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts’ heroic actions resulted in his award of the 9
Bronze Star Medal, with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart; and 10
WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island, as well as the majority of states across the country, 11
uphold the tradition of naming structures such as roads, bridges and edifices after renowned and 12
heroic individuals and there is overwhelming support for renaming the Sakonnet River Bridge the 13
“Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge.” 14
SECTION 1. Chapter 22-7.4 of the General Laws entitled "Permanent Joint Committee on 15
Naming All New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices and Other State Constructions" is hereby amended 16
by adding thereto the following section: 17
22-7.4-157. Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge. 18
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Rhode Island Bridge No. 250, which carries Route 24 over the Sakonnet River between the 1
towns of Portsmouth and Tiverton, previously known as the new Sakonnet River Bridge, shall 2
hereafter be named and known as the “Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge.” 3
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 4
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO RENAMING THE NEW SAKONNET RIVER BRIDGE, AQUIDNECK
ISLAND
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This act would name the new Sakonnet River Bridge as the “Staff Sergeant Christopher 1
Potts Sakonnet River Bridge.” 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
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