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5/1/2025
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Assembly approves Chairmen Felag and Azzinaro’s bill that renames Sakonnet Bridge to the ‘Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge’
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today approved legislation (2025-S 0591A, 2025-H 5051A) sponsored by Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. and Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro that would rename the Sakonnet Bridge as the “Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge.”
Senator Felag is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs and Representative Azzinaro is the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“Staff Sergeant Potts was a true American hero and his young life was tragically cut short at the age of 38 while he defended freedom and democracy abroad. Renaming the Sakonnet Bridge in his honor will serve as a fitting reminder of what our service members sacrifice in order to protect the ideals and freedoms that we deeply cherish. Staff Sergeant Potts was a beloved member of the community and I this recognition honors the valiant and dedicated life that he lived,” said Senator Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton).
“Staff Sergeant Potts represented the best of what Rhode Island has to offer and while his death was tragic, the life he lived was full of valor, dedication and selflessness. To rename this major Rhode Island bridge in his honor is a worthy tribute to a true Rhode Island hero who gave his life so that we all may live in a world free of tyranny and persecution. And now, hopefully whenever someone drives over this bridge, they will be compelled to look up who Staff Sergeant Potts was and discover how his legacy will live on in the state that he loved so much,” said Chairman Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly).
Staff Sergeant Christopher Scott Potts, of Tiverton, served in the Rhode Island National Guard for over 14 years. He was assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, Army National Guard. He deployed to Iraq in March 2004 and was tragically killed during combat operations in Taji, Iraq, on October 3, 2004, which was his birthday.
Staff Sergeant Potts was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart.
The bill now heads to the governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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