2013 -- H 5211

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LC00792

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING RUBYE COX ON THE CELEBRATION OF HER ONE HUNDRED

AND NINTH BIRTHDAY

     Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, Gallison, Winfield, Marshall, and Keable

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2013

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It was on January 31, 1904, in Arkansas that Rubye Cox was born. That

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year, Theodore Roosevelt was re-elected as President of the United States, Theodor Geisel, better

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known to the world as Dr. Seuss, the author and illustrator of such beloved children's books as

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"The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham," was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, the

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first underground New York City Subway line opened, and the construction of the Rhode Island

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State House was completed; and

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     WHEREAS, As a young girl, Rubye embarked on a journey to Muskogee, Oklahoma, in

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a covered wagon. She worked in a library to put herself through college, ultimately earning a

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teaching degree, taught in a one-room school house for a year, then taught high school English

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and French before she married and raised two children in Muskogee; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to creating a warm and loving home for her family, Rubye and

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her husband operated a small grocery store from 1931 until their retirement in 1967. The couple

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would extend credit to customers during the Depression, even through the dire days of the “Dust

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Bowl”; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2002, Mrs. Cox moved to Bristol, Rhode Island, to live with her

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daughter, Betty Gilbert, and now resides at Silver Creek Nursing Home in Bristol; and

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     WHEREAS, Mrs. Cox was an avid flower gardener, as well as a member of a lady’s

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missionary group, and is gifted in hospitality. Over the years, she constantly welcomed and fed

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anyone who came through the church-missionaries, including students and traveling pastors; and

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     WHEREAS, A great woman of faith, Rubye was a Sunday School teacher and

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superintendent for 40 years. She has also read the entire Bible through many, many times; and

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     WHEREAS, Mrs. Cox is a true patriotic American who has always been very vocal about

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voting and always encouraged young people to exercise their voting rights; and

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     WHEREAS, Mrs. Cox has two living sisters, Ruth, aged 103, and Rose, aged 100, and

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she attributes her longevity to "faith, prayer, and no carousing"; and

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     WHEREAS, Rubye is a gentle and a widely beloved woman who, for the last one

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hundred and nine years, has impacted the lives of many people with her generosity, joyous spirit,

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and kindness. All who have been lucky enough to be a part of her extraordinary life are happy to

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call her their dearest friend; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby joyously extends its best wishes to Rubye Cox for a happy 109th

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birthday. We would also like to wish her and her family, who feels she is their greatest asset, the

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very best health and happiness, and hope all of Rubye’s family can look forward to celebrating

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many more birthdays with her in the years to come; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Rubye Cox.

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LC00792

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