Celebrating La Francophonie Flag Raising Ceremony at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday, March 26, 2026

WHEREAS, The “Levee de Drapeau”, Flag Raising ceremony provides a day to celebrate “La Francophonie”, the French-Speaking World and is dedicated to French culture and the French language which unifies people on five continents; and

WHEREAS, French is the second-most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union, and is the primary or secondary language for approximately 310 million people across the world; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island is home to more than 124,000 residents of French descent, 9,500 of whom are proud and skilled in the French language, and this multitude of linguistic diversity in our state has served to strengthen us culturally, economically, and intellectually; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1901, the Alliance Française of Providence, a French cultural center that serves the Providence community, has been helping to “promote the French and Francophone culture and language” and “establish and nurture ties of friendship with our American friends”; and

WHEREAS, The Alliance has more than 250 members and 2,500 friends in Rhode Island and offers French classes, monthly luncheons, opportunities to enjoy French conversation, art appreciation events, and a variety of cultural celebrations; and

WHEREAS, French culture has played a significant role with contributions in cinema, fashion, cuisine, literature, technology, the social sciences and mathematics and is a valued component to Rhode Island’s vibrancy, economy, and diversity; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby welcomes and joins the Consul of France, members of the Alliance Française de Providence and all Rhode Islanders in commemorating La Francophonie Flag Raising Ceremony and celebrating the French language and culture in Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Alliance Française de Providence.