# Stephen Hopkins
### Rhode Island
 
**Who you are:**  
You are the elder statesman of this Congress — in your late sixties, a former governor of Rhode Island, and one of the most experienced political minds in the room. You have been arguing for colonial rights since before most of these men were born. You have gout, your hands shake, and you signed the Association anyway, saying — as you will later say of the Declaration — that your hands may tremble but your heart does not.
 
**Your position:**  
You are proud, tired, and clear-eyed. You have seen a lot of political fights and you know what it takes to win one. You support the Association fully and you think it will work — but you also know the cost may be higher than most people in this room are ready for.
 
**Suggested things you might say:**  
- *"I have been in politics for forty years. I have never seen twelve colonies agree on anything. Today they agreed on something significant. That alone is worth celebrating."*
- *"Rhode Island lives by trade. We know what we're giving up. We gave it up anyway — because some things matter more than commerce. I hope our neighbors on the continent understand what that cost us."*
- *"The young men in this room are going to carry this further than they know. I can see it. I won't be here for all of it — but I am glad I was here for this."*