SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE 241ST BRISTOL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AND RECOGNIZING THE 2026 HONOREES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 9 co-sponsors

Ceremonial SR 3340 formally honors Bristol’s 241st Fourth of July Celebration and its 2026 honorees for leadership and service in the community.

06/02/2026 Senate read and passed

Purpose and intent

Honor the 241st Bristol Fourth of July Celebration in Rhode Island and recognize the 2026 honorees.

Acknowledge Bristol’s historic status as home to the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the United States and situate the 2026 event within the context of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary of independence.

Publicly commend individuals and leaders who contribute to the celebration and to civic life in Bristol.

Key provisions and changes

Formal recognition of the 241st Bristol Fourth of July Celebration as a longstanding community tradition.

Specific recognition of the 2026 honorees for their leadership, service, and commitment to civic engagement. The honorees are:

Ana Barboza-Motta, General Chairwoman of the Bristol Fourth of July Committee
Thomas M. Carroll, 2026 Chief Marshal
Bishop Bruce Alan Lewandowski, CSsR, Interfaith Speaker
VFW Commander-in-Chief, Carol Whitmore, Patriotic Speaker (noting her military service and that she is the first woman and first Iowan to hold the position)
Cristina Marino, Miss Fourth of July
Sloane Tucker, Little Miss Fourth of July
Michael Hoffman, recipient of the Hattie Brown Award

Recognition of additional celebration components, including active duty U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels participating in Narragansett Bay as part of the event.

Directive authorizing the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to each honoree.

Persons and entities affected

The primary audience is the Bristol Fourth of July Committee and the 2026 honorees.

Indirectly affects:

The residents and visitors of Bristol, Rhode Island, by highlighting and reinforcing the community’s tradition.
Participants in the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration, including volunteers and affiliated organizations.
Public officials and ceremonial leaders associated with the event (e.g., the Chief Marshal, speakers, award recipients).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in June 2026 by Senator Linda L. Ujifusa.

Referred to as “Recommended for Immediate Consideration” by the Senate.

As a Senate Resolution, it serves as a formal commendation rather than creating new law or funding.

Upon passage, the Secretary of State is empowered to provide certified copies of the resolution to the listed honorees.

Summary verdict

SR 3340 is a ceremonial resolution that formally honors the 241st Bristol Fourth of July Celebration and recognizes the 2026 honorees for their leadership and service. It highlights Bristol’s historic celebration, acknowledges the participation of naval and coast guard vessels, and publicly commends individuals who contribute to the community’s patriotic traditions. No fiscal impact or regulatory changes are described; the measure is primarily a symbolic tribute.