Congratulating Thawn SherentÉ Harris on Successfully Completing the 2026 Boston Marathon and Honoring the Legacy of His Great- Uncle, Ellison "Tarzan" Brown

WHEREAS, Thawn Sherenté Harris of Charlestown, a proud member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, successfully completed the Boston Marathon, one of the world’s most historic and challenging long-distance races; and

WHEREAS, Thawn completed the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon course with an impressive official finish time of 3 hours, 59 minutes,; and seconds, finishing in under four hours, and is only the third member of the Narragansett Tribe to complete the race while achieving the second- fastest recorded time among them; and

WHEREAS, This achievement was undertaken as both a personal milestone and a ceremonial journey to honor his great-uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, and to commemorate the th anniversary of Tarzan Brown’s first Boston Marathon victory; and

WHEREAS, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown rose to national prominence in the 1930s, winning the Boston Marathon in 1936 and again in 1939, and competing in the 19 Olympic Games, while bringing recognition and pride to the Narragansett people; and

WHEREAS, Tarzan Brown’s 1936 victory included his legendary passing of race favorite Johnny Kelley on the hills of Newton, an iconic moment that gave rise to what is now known as “Heartbreak Hill”; and

WHEREAS, In completing the Boston Marathon, Thawn symbolically followed in his great-uncle’s footsteps along that same historic stretch, retracing the site of one of Brown's most celebrated achievements; and

WHEREAS, Thawn is among the first direct relatives of Tarzan Brown in generations to run the Boston Marathon, further underscoring the significance of his accomplishment and its connection to Rhode Island history, marking the first time in ninety years that a direct descendant has undertaken this historic race; and

WHEREAS, A tribal storyteller, educator, and cultural leader within the Narragansett community, Thawn Sherenté Harris approached the marathon as a ceremonial act reflecting a deep commitment to heritage, perseverance, and representation, running “for the people” while carrying the Narragansett flag over the finish line; and

WHEREAS, In a powerful tribute to his great-uncle, Thawn also crossed the finish line barefoot, carrying his sneakers, in remembrance of Tarzan Brown’s first Boston Marathon in 1935 when he ran the final miles without shoes; and

WHEREAS, Despite recovering from an ACL injury and training for only three and a half months, while also overcoming double lateral meniscus tears, Thawn demonstrated extraordinary perseverance in preparing for and completing the marathon; and

WHEREAS, His preparation included training through the historic Blizzard of 2026, which set a new record as the largest snowfall in Rhode Island history, and repeatedly running the hills of Newton, including a final 21-mile training run during which he ascended Heartbreak Hill three times in prayer and ceremony; and

WHEREAS, Thawn’s journey was supported by his family and friends, including his wife, Eleanor Dove Harris, and their seven children, as well as by the Narragansett Indian Tribe, the Town of Charlestown, the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, the Wakefield Running Club, and many supporters from across Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, His accomplishment serves as a significant tribute to his great-uncle’s enduring legacy and as an inspiration to future generations to pursue excellence while honoring their cultural identity and history, and stands as a testament to perseverance, heritage, and Indigenous visibility; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates Thawn Sherenté Harris on successfully completing the Boston Marathon and honors him for proudly continuing the legacy of his great-uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown; 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 Thawn Sherenté Harris.