[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 95 (Monday, June 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8185-S8186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        RHODE ISLAND'S HOPE DAY

 Mr. PELL. Mr. President, on May 29 the State of Rhode Island 
and Providence Plantations observed not only Memorial Day but also Hope 
Day, commemorating the 205th anniversary of the State's ratification of 
the U.S. Constitution.
  It was at 5:20 in the afternoon of May 29, 1790, we are told, that 
the final vote was taken at a convention of delegates from all parts of 
the State, giving Rhode Island's belated and somewhat grudging approval 
to the new Federal Constitution. The vote was 34 to 32, making the 
smallest of the Thirteen Original Colonies to join the new union of 
States which had come into being the previous year.
  The word ``Hope'', which the State took as its motto in 1875, in 
recent years has become associated with the anniversary of the date of 
Rhode Island's ratification, signifying the high expectations of that 
occasion.
  This year, the Hope Day commemoration, under the chairmanship of G. 
Brian Sullivan of Newport, included an invitation to all churches in 
the State and all vessels in Narragansett Bay to sound their bells and 
horns at 5:20 p.m. in a reenactment of the ``Great 
[[Page S8186]] Tintinnabulation'' of May 29, 1790, when church bells 
throughout the State heralded the outcome of the vote on ratification.
  Mr. President, I ask to have reprinted in the Record proclamations of 
Hope Day 1995 by Gov. Lincoln Almond and David F. Roderick, Jr., mayor 
of Newport.
  The proclamation follows:
        The Governor of the State of Rhode Island--Proclamation

       Whereas, on May 29, 1790, Rhode Island became our country's 
     thirteenth state, fulfilling the hope of our nation's 
     forefathers who sought unity and upheld the motto ``E 
     Pluribus Unum''--``One Composed of Many''; and
       Whereas, while Rhode Island led the thirteen original 
     colonies in rebelling against the tyrannical rule of England 
     with the destruction of the British revenue sloop ``Liberty'' 
     in 1769 and the burning of the schooner ``Gaspee'' in 1772, 
     it would not seek democracy and its status as an independent 
     state until May 29, 1790; and
       Whereas, while Rhode Island was the last of the original 
     thirteen colonies to ratify the federal constitution, our 
     founding fathers--Dr. John Clarke and Roger Williams--were 
     instrumental in creating the Great Charter granted by King 
     Charles II on July 8, 1663, assuring Rhode Island's complete 
     religious freedom, an antecedent to the Bill of Rights; and
       Whereas, on this fourteenth commemoration of ``Hope Day,'' 
     all of Rhode Island should stand proud in recognizing that on 
     this great day back in 1790, federal unification became 
     complete and the thirteen original colonies had become one 
     nation;
       Now, therefore, I Lincoln Almond, Governor of the State of 
     Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Do Hereby Proclaim, 
     May 29, 1995 as Hope Day.
                                                                    ____

               Mayor of the City of Newport--Proclamation

       Whereas, in May of 1776, Rhode Island became the first of 
     the thirteen original colonies to rebel against the tyranny 
     of King George III, by declaring its independence from the 
     Crown on May 4, 1776; and
       Whereas, with the Revolutionary War won, it was not until 
     fourteen years later, on May 29, 1790 that Rhode Island 
     signed the Constitution, making it the official document of 
     law in the land; and
       Whereas, in recognition of the Ratification of the 
     Constitution, church bells rang out through the State of 
     Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; and
       Whereas, in recognition of that day, the fourteenth annual 
     commemoration of Hope Day and in celebration of USA Day in 
     Newport, Now therefore be it
       Resolved, That I, David F. Roderick, Jr., Mayor of the City 
     of Newport in the State of Rhode Island and Providence 
     Plantations, do hereby proclaim May 29, 1995, during the 
     Memorial Day observance, to be Hope Day & U.S.A. Day in the 
     City of Newport, and invite all cities and towns in the State 
     of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to join with us in 
     celebrating the 205th birthday of the Constitution of the 
     United States.
     

                          ____________________