2018 -- H 8205

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LC005638

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND THANKING THE HONORABLE SCOTT AVEDISIAN FOR HIS

SERVICE TO THE CITY OF WARWICK AND THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, McNamara, Solomon, and Vella-
Wilkinson

     Date Introduced: May 16, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Scott Avedisian was born in the City of Warwick and attended public

schools in Warwick and Washington, DC. Continuing his education, he earned his Bachelor's

degree from Providence College, his Master's degree in Public Administration from Roger

Williams University, completed the State and Local program at Harvard's Kennedy School of

Government, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the New England

Institute of Technology; and

     WHEREAS, To the good fortune of the people of Warwick, the Honorable Scott

Avedisian chose a life of civic service. Beginning in high school, he served as a page to the late

United States Senator John Chafee, a legislative aide for the Rhode Island Senate, Deputy

Campaign Manager for former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond, and in due course, was

successively elected five terms as a member of the Warwick City Council; and

     WHEREAS, In February of 2000, the Honorable Scott Avedisian became the 15th Mayor

of City of Warwick, the second largest city in Rhode Island, in a five-way special election race.

Today, he is the longest-serving Mayor in the City's history, a clear indication of the unmitigated

faith the people of Warwick have had in his leadership and in his unwavering determination to

shape and endow a stable and prosperous city; and

     WHEREAS, Mayor Avedisian's success hasn't simply been a result of his immense

talents, but has in large measure been due to his honor and ability to build bi-partisan consensus.

During his tenure as Mayor, he has been a strong champion for human services reform and

environmental protection, and his acute perspicuity has endowed the City of Warwick with a

facile and sustainable economic foundation; and

     WHEREAS, Mayor Avedisian has also served as President of the Rhode Island League

of Cities and Towns, as a member of the Board of Directors of St. Mary's Home for Children for

two decades, as a member of the Board of Directors for Crossroads Rhode Island, as a longtime

Honorary Chairman of the Episcopal Charities, as the immediate past president of the Episcopal

Diocese Standing Committee, and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Public

Transit Authority. Currently, he is on the Board of Incorporators of Kent Hospital, a Trustee of

Ocean State Charities Trust, and a Board member of Advisors of FRIENDS Way, to name but a

few of his professional and civic endeavors; and

     WHEREAS, Mayor Avedisian's experience and service have comprehensively and

effectively prepared him for his vital new role as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager

of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, where he will undoubtedly be successful in

expanding the effectiveness and efficiency of RIPTA and "in finding ways to better connect the

transit system with the state's colleges"; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Scott Avedisian is eminently deserving of the leadership

position and trust he has been afforded. He has wholly distinguished himself as a person worthy

of our recognition, praise and admiration and he has earned the unqualified admiration and

respect of all who have been privileged enough to work with him; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and thanks the Honorable Scott Avedisian for his many

years of extraordinary service as an outstanding community advocate and Mayor of the City of

Warwick. The membership, furthermore, wishes him good health, happiness and success in his

future endeavors; 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 Scott Avedisian.

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LC005638

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