2021 -- S 0822

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LC002644

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE UNTIMELY PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

AMA AMPONSAH

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, and Kallman

     Date Introduced: April 13, 2021

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the untimely passing

of the Honorable Ama Amponsah, beloved wife of Isaac Amponsah, the cherished mother of

Alethea Amponsah, Isaac Amponsah, Jr., and Germain Amponsah, and the newly elected and

well-respected 5th Ward Pawtucket City Councilwoman; and

     WHEREAS, Councilwoman Amponsah and her husband immigrated to the United States

from Ghana in the early 1980s. She was a longtime resident of the Woodlawn neighborhood in

the City of Pawtucket and attended the Community College of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, “Mama Ama”, as she was affectionately known by all, was the owner and

operator of Ama’s Variety & Mini Mart, a mainstay in the community and a local gathering spot

for the past thirty-two years; and

     WHEREAS, Ama's belief was that she was "… blessed to have lived the American

Dream, to come here as an immigrant, work hard, raise a family and own a successful business

that serves my community’s needs”; and

     WHEREAS, Councilor Amponsah's love for her neighbors and the community and her

desire to help led to her decision to run for a seat on the City Council and her service for eight

years as the Sergeant at Arms for the Pawtucket City Council gave her a unique understanding of

the process; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to her family and her time on the Council, Councilor Amponsah

had been very active with volunteer work on numerous altruistic endeavors. She was a former

hospice volunteer, was on the St. Mary's Church Finance Committee, a St. Mary's Church Sunday

School Teacher, and a member of the Diocese of Providence Pastoral Council and the Pawtucket

Prevention Coalition; and

     WHEREAS, Described by her neighbors as a "superwoman” and "beloved", Councilor

Amponsah surely left Pawtucket a far better place because of her life’s endeavors, and her

integrity and determination enriched the lives of all who knew her and set a standard for

excellence in public service that is an inspiration to us all. She will be dearly missed; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest

sympathies on the passing of the Honorable Ama Amponsah; 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. Isaac Amponsah and Family.

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LC002644

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