Weekly Update from Rep. Magaziner
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This Fourth of July week, America marks 250 years as a nation. It is a moment to reflect on how far we have come, celebrate the Rhode Islanders who helped make this country what it is, and recommit to our democratic ideals that are always worth fighting for.
Here is this week’s update: |
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Congress adjourned this week for the Fourth of July, and before leaving the Capitol, I took a moment alone in the Rotunda to reflect on what this milestone means.
250 years ago, this country was founded on a radical idea: that power belongs to the people – not a king, not a religious leader, not a group of elites. Article One of the Constitution established Congress as the voice of the people, the body entrusted to make the laws of this land. Standing in the center of that building, I felt the full weight of that responsibility.
This democratic experiment has never been easy. It wasn’t easy 250 years ago, and it is not easy now. But a government of, by, and for the people is absolutely worth the struggle. And I will continue to fight for the ideals of our country in Congress. |
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As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we’re reminded that Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District played an outsized role in the American Revolution.
I have been spending some time highlighting our amazing history as I travel across the district. Here are some ways our RI-02 contributed to the American Revolution:
How could we not start with the Burning of the Gaspee? Before the Boston Tea Party, Rhode Islanders banded together to set fire to a British naval vessel in Narragansett Bay, literally igniting the flame of liberty. |
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Many people also don’t know that the First Colonial Navy was established in East Greenwich. In 1774, the Rhode Island assembly chartered the first navy in the colonies, four months before the Continental Navy was established in Philadelphia. Pretty fitting for the Ocean State! |
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One of the most incredible contributions of our state was the First Rhode Island Regiment. Black and Native American troops fought side by side as part of the Regiment, founded in East Greenwich. Their courage and sacrifice helped secure American independence. |
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General Nathanael Greene. A Rhode Island native, Nathanael Greene rose through the ranks to become one of George Washington’s most trusted generals, helping change the course of the war. Born near Warwick, the house he lived in as an adult is still standing in Coventry! |
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Born in Saunderstown, Gilbert Stuart painted many of the heroes of the Revolution, including the iconic portrait of George Washington that still appears on the one-dollar bill today. Because of him, we can see still the faces of the people who created our country. |
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Rhode Island has always punched above our weight. This week is a time to reflect on our legacy and celebrate the many people from the Ocean State who made the American Revolution possible. |
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An extreme heat warning is in effect through Saturday evening, with high temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees or above for five consecutive days in Rhode Island. An air quality alert for high ground-level ozone is also in effect, which can be especially harmful for children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions.
As you celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, please take care of yourselves and check on your neighbors:
Find a list of cooling centers here, and stay in touch with Rhode Island EMA for updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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