2019 -- H 5891

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LC002187

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING PROVIDENCE POLICE OFFICER MIKE MATRACIA FOR INSPIRING

OTHERS AND CHANGING THE WAY PEOPLE WITH MS AND OTHER DISABILITIES

ARE VIEWED, AND HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF PROVIDENCE AND THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Lombardi, Hull, Edwards, Tobon, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Mike Matracia has been on the job as a Providence Police Officer for more

than 28 years. Over the last fourteen years, he has carried out his duties in a motorized wheel

chair; and

     WHEREAS, In late 1997, halfway through his career, Officer Matracia was diagnosed

with a life changing disease after a spinal tap showed multiple sclerosis; and

     WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the

central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the

brain and the body; and

     WHEREAS, During his first four years on the force, Officer Matracia had been on street

patrol. He then found a calling in community policing, and served as former Mayor Buddy

Cianci's driver, as well as working security when Hillary Clinton came to town. Today, he is the

go-to guy for student tours, both at headquarters and in schools, and continues his efforts in

myriad areas of community service; and

     WHEREAS, Imbued with the core belief that "people with disabilities have rights, they

have aspirations and dreams." Mike became involved in a number of organizations that help

people living with disabilities including serving as Vice President of the MS Dream Center in

Cranston, and working with Access-RI, ATAP, and IIE. He also started a program at the Police

Department where kids and adults with disabilities get to shadow him on the job; and

     WHEREAS, Mike's positive attitude and perseverance, as well as his efforts on behalf of

people living with MS and other disabilities, along with his strong belief that there is nothing

better than wearing the uniform of a Providence police officer, have made him an individual truly

deserving of our admiration, gratitude, and respect; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and honors Providence Police Officer Mike Matracia

for inspiring others and changing the way people with MS and other disabilities are viewed, and

his service to the people of Providence and the State of 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 Providence Police Officer Mike Matracia.

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LC002187

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