Bipartisan Support for 9/11 Tribute in Rhode Island Schools

9/12/2019

State House, Providence, RI – House Republican Deputy Whip Sherry Roberts announces her support for legislation to mandate a moment of silence in Rhode Island public schools on each anniversary of the War on Terror, commemorated on September 11th. She will join Senator Lou Raptakis in sponsoring a companion bill in the Rhode Island House in the upcoming legislative session.

Deputy Minority Whip Sherry Roberts (R, District 29 - Coventry, West Greenwich)

Inspired by a New York law, public schools would be required to provide a moment of silence at the beginning of the school day, every September 11th, to observe the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The reflection time would encourage conversations and education in classrooms among a new generation of students who weren’t alive during the 2001 terror attacks that killed thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

“Nine Rhode Islanders perished on that horrific day, and countless, selfless emergency personnel from the Ocean State responded, without hesitation, to assist in recovery and aid missions for weeks after the attack,” said Roberts. “I am proud to sponsor this bill ensuring that ‘we will never forget’ is more than just words in the state of Rhode Island. We are hoping to have this important practice in place in time for the 20th Anniversary in 2021.”

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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.