2016 -- H 8122

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LC005739

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING ROBERT D. BILLINGTON ON BEING NAMED A 2016 "HERITAGE

HALL OF FAME" INDUCTEE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Morin, Phillips, Johnston, and Messier

     Date Introduced: April 28, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Founded in 1965, the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame annually honors

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those individuals whose contributions have enhanced the heritage of the State of Rhode Island.

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Eligible members must be native Rhode Islanders or those who have adopted the Ocean State as

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their permanent home; and

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     WHEREAS, One of this year's venerable inductees is Robert "Bob" Billington, founder

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of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC), and a man who has spent the better part of

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three decades contributing his time, energy and talents to creating "an epic vision for the Valley"

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and to inspiring others to work together for the betterment of our state; and

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     WHEREAS, Bob earned his Bachelor's degree in management and marketing, his

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Master's degree in Business Administration, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from

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Johnson & Wales University; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1985, Mr. Billington founded the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

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where he has striven to incorporate the history, culture, nature, and commercial resources of the

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nine cities and towns in the Blackstone Valley in order to create outstanding tourism "through

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pride of place, education, development along the Blackstone River, community development, and

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job creation." The Council was the first tourism agency in the world to be certified by the United

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Nations World Tourism Organization; and

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     WHEREAS, During his tenure with the BVTC, Mr. Billington has spearheaded a panoply

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of exciting and innovative projects. He oversaw construction of five riverboats, the Blackstone

 

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Valley Explorer, two ferryboats, the Hope and the Renaissance, and an English canal boat Samuel

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Slater. He also led the effort to create the Broad Street Regeneration Initiative, founded the

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Sustainable Tourism Laboratory, from which Chocolate Mill Overlook Park in Central Falls was

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built, and together with Tai-O, Inc., the Council assisted with the regeneration of the first

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industrial road in the United States, planting over 200 cherry trees and lighting the first bridge on

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the Blackstone; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to serving as President and CEO of the BVTC, Mr. Billington is

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also the founder of the Rhode Island State Council on the Humanities, an adjunct Professor at

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Boston University, Bristol Community College, Johnson & Wales University, and Lasell College,

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a Board Member of the Pawtucket Foundation, the Conductor of The Polar Express, Chair of the

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Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, and a member of the Board of Regents. He has also served as

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a Commissioner with the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission and as past

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Chairman of the Old Slater Mill Association; and

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     WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Mr. Billington's tireless efforts have earned him

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countless recognitions and awards including the Tourism for Tomorrow Award, The Phoenix

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Award, the prestigious Ulysses Prize from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and

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being named "Person of the Year" by the World Travel Awards; and

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     WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Bob Billington has earned his reputation for

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excellence and dedication to the Blackstone Valley. Being an inductee into the Rhode Island

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Heritage Hall of Fame is a momentous tribute to this exceptional gentleman who is truly a role

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model worthy of our recognition and emulation; 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 joins his multitude of friends and admirers in congratulating and

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honoring Bob Billington on his induction into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. We wish

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him good health, much happiness, and continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it

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further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Robert Billington.

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LC005739

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