H 8569

2026 -- H 8569
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LC003181
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  STATE  OF       RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  HOUSE RESOLUTION
 COMMEMORATING MAY 17-23, 2026, AS "QUAHOG WEEK 2026" IN THE STATE OF
  RHODE ISLAND
  Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale,
  Paplauskas, Newberry, Santucci, Hull, J. Lombardi, and Tanzi
  Date Introduced: May 21, 2026
  Referred To: House read and passed
1WHEREAS, Rhode Island proudly supports its burgeoning food industry; and
2WHEREAS, Rhode Island's fishing and seafood sector is a key component of the Rhode
3 Island food industry; and
4WHEREAS, A recent study by the University of Rhode Island found that the total
5 economic impact of Rhode Island's fisheries and seafood sector is nearly 4,300 jobs and
6 approximately $420 million in annual statewide economic activity; and
7WHEREAS, The Rhode Island quahog fishery plays a particularly important role in the
8 history, culture, and economy of the State; and
9WHEREAS, In 2022, approximately 397,000 meat pounds of quahogs were harvested
10 from Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island coastal waters; and
11WHEREAS, Rhode Island's commercial quahog fishery is characterized by over 500
12 independent owner/operators who typically work alone on small boats and often in harsh
13 conditions; and
14WHEREAS, The Rhode Island quahog fishery produces a steady supply of fresh product
15 to the market throughout the year, thanks to a well-managed, sustainable resource and the grit and
16 determination of the hardworking harvesters; and
17WHEREAS, Rhode Island's seafood retailers provide fresh Rhode Island quahogs to local
18 consumers, enriching palates and bolstering our local food economy; and
19WHEREAS, Water quality improvements in Narragansett Bay have led to the opening of
1 1,908 acres of additional shellfishing waters in the lower Providence River, providing a
2 significant growth opportunity for the fishery; and
3WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative was established by the
4 Rhode Island General Assembly in 2011, for the purpose of promoting and advancing the
5 interests of Rhode Island's seafood industry; and
6WHEREAS, A key initiative of the Collaborative has been "Quahog Week," an annual
7 statewide celebration that highlights the importance and appeal of Rhode Island's iconic clam;
8 and
9WHEREAS, The 10th annual "Quahog Week" takes place in 2026 during the week of
10 May 17 through May 23; and
11WHEREAS, "Quahog Week 2026" features a large number of restaurants and markets
12 throughout the State offering quahog-based specials on their menus and in their display cases.
13 "Quahog Week 2026" will also feature special events; now, therefore be it
14RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
15 commemorates May 17-23, 2026, as "Quahog Week 2026" and congratulates the Rhode Island
16 Seafood Marketing Collaborative, the Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association, and the many
17 partners who have joined together to make Quahog Week 2026 a premier statewide event; and be
18 it further
19RESOLVED, That this House hereby encourages all Rhode Islanders to support Rhode
20 Island's local quahog and seafood industry by participating in Quahog Week and enjoying fresh
21 Rhode Island quahogs throughout the year; and be it further
22RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
23 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing
24 Collaborative, and the Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association.
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