Volvo Ocean Race

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Newport, Rhode Island, in my district, on hosting, this month, the Volvo Ocean Race, the world's premier sailing race around the world.

This 12-day event brought 125,000 visitors to Rhode Island, far exceeding even the most optimistic projections, as well as millions of dollars in economic activity that supported Rhode Island's tourism industry and our small-business community. Most importantly, the success of this event offered an opportunity to tell our story about the great things that are happening in Rhode Island today.

I want to thank everyone who helped make the only North American stopover for this year's Volvo Ocean Race such an incredible success, including Sail Newport, Rhode Island's Public Sailing Center, Discover Newport, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Newport Chamber of Commerce, Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, Speaker Mattiello, members of the general assembly, and Governor Gina Raimondo.

I want to especially acknowledge Senator Whitehouse for all of his work to bring this race to Rhode Island and his ongoing efforts to enhance our State's position in the maritime industry.

Congratulations to everyone who made this such a success.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source