2015 -- H 5744

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LC001931

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING DR. THOMAS DIPAOLA, PH.D., FOR RECEIVING THE EIGHTH

ANNUAL PAUL W. CROWLEY AWARD

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Kennedy, Serpa, O'Brien, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas DiPaola Ph.D., Director of the Education Leadership Doctoral

Program at Johnson & Wales University, will be awarded the Paul W. Crowley Award in the

State Room of the Rhode Island State House on March 4, 2015; and

     WHEREAS, The Paul Crowley Award, named after former Rhode Island State

Representative Paul W. Crowley, is given annually by the Rhode Island School Superintendents'

Association to a Rhode Islander who, during their professional career, has demonstrated a tireless

commitment to improving the quality of education received by the school children of Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. DiPaola began his distinguished public service career as the Director of

Special Education in Central Falls from 1977 to 1984, in Pawtucket from 1984 to 1991, and in

Providence from 1991 to 1992. He was also the Director of the Rhode Island Technical

Assistance Project from 1991 to 2000. He assisted the late Representatives Paul Sherlock and

Paul Crowley in their efforts to reform public education in Rhode Island, and played a crucial role

in helping to reform and improve the special education process. His innovative approach to

enhancing early reading programs helped to increase the reading abilities of countless Rhode

Island children; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. DiPaola has served with distinction as a member of the Rhode Island

School Superintendents' Association, as the Superintendent of the Westerly Public Schools, as the

State Director of Special Populations, and at the Rhode Island Department of Education. He is

married to Nadine Champlin DiPaola and is the father of two children, a son, Christopher, and a

daughter, Jaime; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Tom DiPaola, Ph.D. for receiving the eighth annual

Paul W. Crowley Award. We thank him for his many years of exemplary service to the citizens of

Rhode Island and for improving the quality of education received by every public school student

in Rhode Island; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dr. Thomas DiPaola, Ph.D.

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