2019 -- H 6195

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LC002777

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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

CONGRATULATING MR. JAMES GEMMA, TEACHER, E.S. RHODES ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL, ON RECEIVING THE 2019 "FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATOR OF THE

YEAR AWARD" FROM THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL TREASURER, THE

HONORABLE SETH MAGAZINER

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Mattiello, Jacquard, Millea, and Lima

     Date Introduced: June 06, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Financial Literacy occurs when one possesses the knowledge and skills that

allow them to make informed and effective judgements and decisions with their financial

resources. Interest in the teaching of financial literacy is at an all-time high, with many nations

and American states running educational programs teaching people basic financial concepts about

how to best navigate financial systems; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island General Treasurer’s Office has made financial literacy an

important part of its job mission. In 2016, Treasurer Seth Magaziner created the "Financial

Literacy Educator of the Year Award" to honor educators who are leaders in the field of teaching

financial literacy. In order to be considered for this prestigious honor, a teacher must be

nominated for the award by an administrator or faculty member at the school where they teach,

have at least two years of experience teaching financial literacy or two years of experience

coaching a financial literacy-related extracurricular activity, and a letter of support from a

student; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. James Gemma, a distinguished and beloved teacher at E.S. Rhodes

Elementary School in Cranston, is the eminently worthy recipient of the 2019 "Financial Literacy

Educator of the Year Award." Mr. Gemma is an innovative teacher who has found ways to

incorporate financial literacy principles into the curriculum of his fifth grade class by having his

students participate in the Stock Market Game and the Investwrite Competition. Thanks to Mr.

Gemma’s tireless work ethic and abiding concern for the future welfare and prosperity of his

pupils, his students have learned much about the risks and rewards inherent in the stock market,

and have learned about the importance of collaboration, accountability and technology. Parents of

Mr. Gemma’s students report that their children come home with excitement about their daily

financial literacy activities in his classroom; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Mr. James Gemma, Teacher, E.S. Rhodes

Elementary School, for receiving the 2019 "Financial Literacy Educator of the Year Award" from

the Rhode Island General Treasurer’s Office. Mr. Gemma’s students are fortunate to have such a

talented and devoted teacher instructing them about the important principles of financial literacy;

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 Mr. James Gemma.

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