HOUSE RESOLUTION JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON MAY 19TH, 2026

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

HR 8574 formally celebrates 10 years of the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, recognizing its support for Latino and immigrant entrepreneurs and access to capital and trai

05/21/2026 House read and passed

Overview

Type: House Resolution (HR 8574)

Session/Jurisdiction: Rhode Island, 2026

Title: JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON MAY 19TH, 2026

Purpose: Officially recognize and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RIHCC) and its contributions to the Rhode Island economy and Latino business communities.

Main purpose and intent

Acknowledges the founding and evolution of the RIHCC since 2016.

Highlights the organization’s role in supporting Latino entrepreneurs, immigrant-owned businesses, and underserved business communities in Rhode Island.

Commends leadership (Oscar Mejias) and the RIHCC for expanding from a community-based initiative to a statewide business support organization with over 1,150 members.

Recognizes RIHCC’s impact on economic development, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, education, and cultural representation.

Proclaims May 19, 2026, as a time to celebrate the 10-year milestone and the organization’s contributions to connecting small businesses with capital, training, and partnerships.

Key provisions and changes

Proclamation: The Rhode Island House of Representatives formally congratulates the RIHCC on its 10th anniversary.

Public recognition: The resolution emphasizes RIHCC’s programs and signature initiatives (e.g., Latina Women in Business, Latino Financial Summit, Café con Leche breakfast, Gala de la Hispanidad) and their role in supporting business growth and visibility.

Outreach and support narrative: Documents RIHCC’s help to hundreds of entrepreneurs and its partnerships with financial institutions and organizations to assist with access to capital and training.

Administrative action: Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to Oscar Mejias, the founder, president, and CEO of the RIHCC.

Who/what is affected

Primary beneficiary: Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RIHCC) and its leadership.

Indirect beneficiaries: Latino-owned businesses, immigrant-owned businesses, and underserved business communities in Rhode Island that benefit from RIHCC’s programs and services.

General public: Recognition by the state through this official resolution may raise awareness of RIHCC’s work and contributions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: May 21, 2026.

Referred to: House read and passed; the action history shows passage on May 21, 2026.

Next steps: As a House Resolution, it serves a ceremonial/recognition purpose and does not enact new laws or spending. The Secretary of State is directed to deliver a certified copy to Oscar Mejias.

Notable details

RIHCC background: Since 2016, the organization has grown to over 1,150 members and supported more than 3,500 businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic, including job creation/retention of over 500 positions.

Economic impact: The resolution highlights RIHCC’s role in facilitating access to capital, training, and partnerships with financial institutions (e.g., Papitto Opportunity Connection, Navigant Credit Union) and its noted programs that promote financial readiness and business development.

Overall, HR 8574 is a formal commendation recognizing a decade of contributions by the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to the state's Latino business community and broader economic vitality.