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H8616 2026 -- H 8616 ======== LC003900 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N COMMEMORATING WORLD REFUGEE DAY AND RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF DORCAS INTERNATIONAL OF PROVIDENCE ON JUNE 20TH OF 2026, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Slater, Alzate, Edwards, Knight, Batista, and Biah Date Introduced: June 04, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed 1 WHEREAS, World Refugee Day is an international observance designated by the United 2 Nations in order to honor and promote the well-being, resilience, and bravery of refugees and 3 displaced persons around the world; and 4 WHEREAS, This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention 5 relating to the Status of Refugees which defined the term refugee and outlined the rights of 6 refugees; and 7 WHEREAS, World Refugee Day encourages awareness and action for the rights, needs, 8 and hopes of refugees, and is a time to acknowledge the challenges faced by refugees and 9 reaffirm the importance of providing them with protection, assistance, and integration 10 opportunities; and 11 WHEREAS, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island has been providing services 12 and guidance to refugees and immigrants in Rhode Island for over 100 years; and 13 WHEREAS, With programs including Refugee Resettlement, Citizenship and 14 Immigration Legal Services, employment services, English classes, unaccompanied youth 15 support, workforce development training, the Clothing Collaborative, Pinpoint Interpretation and 16 Translation Services, and case management and mental health services for many of our immigrant 17 and refugee neighbors, Dorcas House has demonstrated their deep commitment to creating an 18 inclusive community where all are welcome and have the opportunity to thrive; and 19 WHEREAS, Most refugees integrate and quickly become self-sufficient members of the 1 community by joining the workforce, paying taxes, supporting local commerce, helping to 2 address labor demand in critical industries, and creating new jobs; and 3 WHEREAS, Welcoming those who have been oppressed and persecuted is a tenant of the 4 founding of Rhode Island, which is now home to a diverse population of refugees and immigrants 5 who contribute to the economic strengths and cultural richness of our communities; now, 6 therefore be it 7 RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 8 commemorates and reaffirms the goals of World Refugee Day on June 20th of 2026, and 9 recognizes and thanks Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island for their commitment to 10 protecting refugees who live without adequate material, social, or legal protections; and be it 11 further 12 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 13 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Kathy Cloutier, CEO of Dorcas International 14 Institute of RI. ======== LC003900 ======== LC003900 - Page 2 of 2
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