2020 -- H 8151

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LC005487

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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 DENNIS M. CANARIO 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, On November 6, 2012, the Honorable Dennis M. Canario was elected to the

Rhode Island House of Representatives in District 71, encompassing Little Compton, Portsmouth,

and Tiverton. Over the ensuing eight years, he admirably served his constituents and the State of

Rhode Island with distinction and integrity; and

     WHEREAS, Dennis Canario attended St. Andrews' School, attained his Associate's

degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University, and was employed as a Police

Detective with the Portsmouth Police Department until his retirement. In 2004, he won his first

foray into politics, becoming a member of the Portsmouth Town Council, where he subsequently

served as Chair for two years; and

     WHEREAS, On November 6th of 2012, the Honorable Dennis Canario was elected to the

Rhode Island House of Representatives, and during the following three elections, his constituency

returned him to the House where he earned the respect of his colleagues, the gratitude of his

constituents, and the unqualified admiration of all who have had the pleasure to work by his side;

and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure in the House, Representative Canario served as the First

Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, and as a member of the

House Committee on Judiciary, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Special

Legislative Commission on Defense Economy Planning, and was named a Deputy Majority

Leader in April of 2014; and

     WHEREAS, Sponsoring numerous bills throughout his years in the House,

Representative Canario introduced legislation which included the Red Flag bill, legislation that

increased the penalties for bad contractors, and a bill to exempt disabled residents from ID card

fees, all of which were successfully enacted. He also championed successful legislation to address

the epidemic of opioid overdose deaths, create a special legislative commission to study the

effects of legalizing recreational marijuana, and a bill that requires medical treatment facilities to

provide discharge plans for patients with nonsubstance abuse-related mental health disorders, to

name but a few; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his many hours at the State House, Representative Canario is

the founder of the Portsmouth Police Cadet Explorer Program, was the Portsmouth Senior

Citizens Advocate from 1997 to 2001, and is a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus,

Rooney Council; and

     WHEREAS, A truly valued member and well-liked member of the House, the Honorable

Dennis Canario has consistently demonstrated an abiding dedication to serving the best interests

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

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

honors Representative Dennis M. Canario as he concludes his service in the Rhode Island

General Assembly. We moreover thank him for a job well done, and extend our sincere wishes

for a long and happy retirement with his wife, Amy, and his children and grandchildren; 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 Dennis M. Canario.

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LC005487

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