2016 -- H 8366

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LC006241

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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

HONORING REPRESENTATIVE HELIO MELO FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, DeSimone, Newberry, Costa, and Lancia

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On November 2nd of 2004, the Honorable Helio Melo was elected to the

Rhode Island House of Representatives from District 64, which encompasses neighborhoods in

the City of East Providence. Over the past twelve years, he has served his constituents and the

citizens of Rhode Island with distinction and integrity; and

     WHEREAS, Held in high regard by his fellow members, Representative Melo is a

Member of the House Labor Committee and the House Committee on Environment and Natural

Resources. He previously served as chairman of the House Committee on Finance from 2011

until March of 2014; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure as Chairman of Finance, Representative Melo played a

leading role in the passage of comprehensive pension reform legislation which reduced the state's

liability by $3 billion. He was also the sponsor of the enacted income tax reform legislation

which reduced the tax burden for most Rhode Islanders and simplified the tax system, and had

sponsored the Revenue Protection Act which established the state's share of table games at Twin

River; and

     WHEREAS, As a tireless advocate for his constituency and his community,

Representative Melo had previously been elected to the East Providence School Committee

serving from 1998 to 2004, and serving as Chairman from 2000 to 2002. He also served as

Chairman of the East Providence Public Library Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1998, and as a

member of the National School Board Association's Young Caucus, and as its Vice President

from 2000 to 2002. In addition, he has been a member of the East Providence Democratic City

Committee; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Helio Melo graduated from East Providence High School

and attended the University of Rhode Island. He and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of two

children, Nicholas and Victoria. In addition to the long hours he puts in at the State House, he is a

training manager for the Jan Companies, and is a member of the Holy Ghost Beneficial

Brotherhood of Rhode Island, the East Providence Knights of Columbus, Amigos da Terceira,

and Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood Mariense; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Helio Melo has earned the admiration of his colleagues and

the gratitude of his constituency. He has touched the lives of so many people through his diligent

efforts and with the legislation he has fought to enact. He is truly an extraordinary man, who

serves as a model of dedicated and conscientious civic service, and he is eminently worthy of our

gratitude and acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby honors Representative Helio Melo as he concludes his service in

the Rhode Island General Assembly. We thank him for a job well done, and extend our sincere

wishes for his continued health, happiness, and success; 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 the Honorable Helio Melo.

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LC006241

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