2020 -- H 8150

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LC005516

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH S. ALMEIDA FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi, Casimiro, and Kazarian

     Date Introduced: December 14, 2020

     Referred To: Placed on the House Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Joseph S. Almeida has announced his retirement from the

Rhode Island House of Representatives, after having served the people of the South Side and

Washington Park neighborhoods in the City of Providence in District 12 for twenty years; and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from La Salle Academy, Joseph Almeida served our

nation as a United States Marine for six years, and upon discharge, attended what was then Roger

Williams College; and

     WHEREAS, For the next twenty years, Joe served in the Providence Police Department,

where he earned myriad awards and distinctions, and held numerous positions, including serving

as a hostage negotiator and the first black member of Providence’s SWAT team. He also co-

founded the Rhode Island Minority Police Association during those years. After retiring from the

Department, he owned and operated a local bar for twenty years, and is currently the owner of

Essence Construction; and

     WHEREAS, In November of 1998, Representative Almeida was first elected to the

Rhode Island House of Representatives. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his

constituency, he has been a strong voice for minorities, low-income families, civil rights, fair

housing, and small businesses. Most notably, he was the sponsor of the successful “Driving

While Black” legislation, the Comprehensive Community–Police Relationship Act, legislation

that paved the way for restoring voting rights to people on probation or parole for a felony

conviction, and was a cosponsor of bills that cut red tape for minority businesses seeking to be

certified as minority business enterprises, to name just of few of his many accomplishments; and

     WHEREAS, Earning the respect of his colleagues, Representative Almeida has served as

a Deputy Majority Leader, Chair of the Rhode Island Minority Leadership/Legislative Caucus,

Vice Chair of the House Labor Committee, Secretary of the Separation of Powers Committee,

and as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the Committee on Highway Safety, and the

Martin Luther King Day Commission; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Representative Almeida helped form the House Police and

Firefighters Caucus to focus on the training and issues of first responders, and most recently, has

been a member of the House Committee on Judiciary; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Almeida has improved the lives of so many people through

his diligent efforts, and he will be greatly missed in the House Chamber; now, therefore be it

     WHEREAS, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

honors and thanks Representative Joseph S. Almeida for his service to the people of Providence

and our State. We moreover wish him and his wife, Zoraida, best wishes and good health for

many years to come; 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 Joseph S. Almeida.

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LC005516

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