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4/30/2026
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House passes Chairman Azzinaro’s bill creating three new state honors for RI military and National Guard members
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STATE HOUSE – The House today passed legislation sponsored by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Samuel A. Azzinaro that creates three new state awards to recognize Rhode Island military and National Guard members.
“It is important that we recognize and honor the many valuable contributions our service members have made to Rhode Island, and these new awards will offer additional and most-deserved praise for their selfless and dedicated service,” said Chairman Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly).
The first new honor created in the legislation (2026-H 8123) would be the Rhode Island Legion of Merit, awarded to service members who demonstrate outstanding service while in key leadership positions.
The second new honor would be the Rhode Island State Partnership Program Ribbon, awarded to service members who serve for at least five consecutive days in a RI National Guard state partnership program country.
And the final new honor created would be the Rhode Island Funeral Honors Ribbon, awarded to service members for their dedicated service as a part of a military funeral honors team.
In addition, the bill expands the eligibility for the Rhode Island Star to certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments for their outstanding service and contributions to Rhode Island.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced the legislation (2026-S 2996).
The House also approved a resolution introduced (2026-H 8251) by Chairman Azzinaro that urges Congress to authorize the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to service members that served in Honduras from 1981 through 1992.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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