Summary: HR 6413 commemorates the 60th annual Gaspee Days celebration and the 253rd anniversary of the burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee, an event that occurred on June 9, 1772. This act of defiance by Rhode Island colonists against British rule is recognized as a significant moment leading up to the American Revolution, marking the first bloodshed in the struggle for independence. The resolution emphasizes the historical significance of the Gaspee's burning, which led to the formation of a Committee of Correspondence and contributed to the establishment of the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence.

The Gaspee Days celebration, held annually in Pawtuxet Village since 1965, honors this pivotal event with various festivities, including a fireworks display, a 5K road race, live music, an Arts & Crafts Festival, and a parade featuring the burning of the Gaspee in effigy. The resolution encourages the citizens of Rhode Island to participate in these celebrations, highlighting the importance of this historical event in the state's and nation's heritage. Additionally, it authorizes the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Proclamation Chairman of the Gaspee Days Committee.