HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 61ST ANNUAL GASPEE DAYS CELEBRATION AND THE MOMENTOUS 254TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BURNING OF THE GASPEE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Blazejewski and 9 co-sponsors

A ceremonial resolution recognizes Rhode Island’s Gaspee Days and commemorates the 254th anniversary of the burning of HMS Gaspee, endorsing annual public observance activities.

06/11/2026 House read and passed

Overview

Bill: HR 8631

Session: 2026

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island

Title: HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 61ST ANNUAL GASPEE DAYS CELEBRATION AND THE MOMENTOUS 254TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BURNING OF THE GASPEE

Type: House Resolution (no fiscal or regulatory impact; ceremonial)

Introduced: June 11, 2026

Sponsors: Representatives McNamara; Blazejewski; Kazarian; Chippendale; Paplauskas; Hopkins; Place; Fascia; Roberts; Nardone

Referred/Action: Read and passed by the House on June 11, 2026

Co-sponsors: Fascia, Chippendale, Paplauskas, Nardone, Roberts, Place, Blazejewski, Hopkins, Kazarian, McNamara

Purpose and Intent

A ceremonial resolution recognizing the Gaspee Days celebration in Pawtuxet Village, Rhode Island.

Commemorates the 61st annual Gaspee Days celebration and the 254th anniversary of the burning of the British revenue schooner H.M.S. Gaspee in 1772, an event described as a significant early act in the American push toward independence.

Key Provisions

Acknowledges the historical significance of the burning of the Gaspee as an act that helped galvanize colonial resistance and contributed to the development of colonial governance and the move toward independence (Committee of Correspondence, Continental Congress, and ultimately the Declaration of Independence).

Describes the Gaspee Days festivities, including:

Fireworks display
5K road race
Live music (including a symphony in the park)
Arts & Crafts Festival
Gaspee Days parade
Burning of the Gaspee in effigy
Revolutionary War militia encampment
Fife and drum bands

States that the designation of Gaspee Days as a Days of Special Observance was enacted in 1995, designating the second Saturday and the following Sunday in June for annual observance.

Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Proclamation Chairman of the Gaspee Days Committee.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primarily a ceremonial acknowledgment affecting:

Rhode Island residents and participants in Gaspee Days
Gaspee Days Committee and volunteers involved in organizing the celebration
The Office of the Secretary of State (in terms of distributing copies of the resolution)

The resolution serves to formalize and publicly recognize the historical significance and ongoing community celebration, without imposing new laws, funding, or regulatory requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Details

The resolution was introduced and then read and passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on June 11, 2026.

The action is ceremonial, with no budgetary allocations, regulatory changes, or implementation timelines beyond the annual Gaspee Days celebration.

The Secretary of State is authorized to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Gaspee Days Committee’s Proclamation Chairman.

Summary

HR 8631 is a formal, ceremonial resolution recognizing Rhode Island’s Gaspee Days and commemorating the 254th anniversary of the burning of HMS Gaspee. It highlights the event’s historical importance to the American Revolution and endorses public participation in the annual celebration, including described activities such as fireworks, races, music, an arts festival, a parade, and an effigy burning. The resolution also reiterates the established practice of designating Gaspee Days as a Days of Special Observance and directs official transmission of the resolution to the Gaspee Days Committee.