2013 -- S 0590

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN J. JOYCE, III, A TIRELESS

ADVOCATE FOR THE HOMELESS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Lynch, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the tragic and untimely

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passing of Mr. John J. Joyce, III, a man who dedicated his life to the selfless defense of the

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homeless, the poor and those living on the margins of society; and

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     WHEREAS, John J. Joyce, III was a native of Providence, the son of Elizabeth T.

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(Martin) Joyce and the late Thomas F. Joyce. John was the Co-Director of the Rhode Island

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Advocacy Project, a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the rights and human dignity

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of those living life on the streets. Mr. Joyce, a man who was once homeless himself, fully

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understood how bad breaks, difficult circumstances, and a harsh world could lead to a person not

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having a place to call home, and living a life of despair. Mr. Joyce was never shy in his defense of

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the homeless and was always willing to confront the powerful in his efforts to create a

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compassionate and just society for the homeless and the downtrodden; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Joyce dedicated his life to helping the homeless and worked tirelessly

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on their behalf. He helped organize a high-profile tent city in Providence known as “Camp

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Runamuck” to draw attention to the problems of the homeless. In 2012 he successfully pushed the

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passage of the landmark law, the “Homeless Bill of Rights”, a law that prevents governments,

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health care workers, employers and others from treating homeless people unfairly because of their

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housing status. National homeless advocates called the law the first of its kind. Mr. Joyce and his

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organization were among those recognized by the National Law Center on Homelessness and

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Poverty for their work on the bill. Because of Mr. Joyce’s efforts, never again will the homeless

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in Rhode Island feel as if they don’t have a voice, or lack equality under the law; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Joyce passed away after losing a courageous fight against cancer.

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Besides his mother, he leaves behind his partner Megan Smith, of Providence, a brother, Thomas

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F. Joyce, Jr. and his wife, Ruchi, of Coventry, a sister, Katherine Greenwell and her husband,

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Joseph, of Warwick, and three nieces and a nephew, Jaya and Caeden Joyce, Shannon and

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Caleigh Greenwell, as well as many cherished friends and co-workers. He was also a member of

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the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence. His zealous advocacy for the homeless and

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less fortunate, and his kind heart and compassion for those experiencing trouble in life, will be

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long-remembered by those who knew him. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends,

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but the memory of his life will live long in the hearts and minds of all who knew him and will

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serve as a reminder to all of us to never forget the least among us; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. John J. Joyce, III; and be it further

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

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Elizabeth T. Joyce and Megan Smith.

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