2022 -- H 7011

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LC003203

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

RAYMOND J. SULLIVAN, JR.

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Ackerman, McNamara,
Ruggiero, Solomon, Serpa, Messier, Fellela, and Carson

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

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untimely passing of the Honorable Raymond J. Sullivan, Jr., a former valued member of the

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Rhode Island House of Representatives, a dedicated advocate for myriad social justice issues, and

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a highly-respected political strategist; and

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     WHEREAS, Ray Sullivan, affectionately known as "R.J." by his family and friends, was

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the son of Maureen and Raymond Sullivan, Sr. He graduated from Bishop Hendricken High

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School and attended Providence College, which resulted in a lifelong devotion to PC Friars

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Basketball, as well as a love for coaching basketball, which he did for many years with the

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Coventry Basketball Association, the Coventry Wildcats later known as the RI Breakers, head

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basketball coach for Fr. Doyle School in Coventry, and coaching and refereeing in the Providence

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City Recreation League; and

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     WHEREAS, His faith and upbringing greatly influenced Ray's early altruistic endeavors.

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He was dedicated to Our Lady of Czentochowa Parish for many years, serving as an altar boy for

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several years. He was later active with the Beneficent Congregational Church and Sanctuary

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Church Online, and was a member of Byron A. Northup Chapter of DeMolay, where he served as

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Master Councilor of the Northup Chapter and State Master Councilor of Rhode Island DeMolay,

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and earned the degrees of Chevalier and Legion of Honor; and

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     WHEREAS, On November 2, 2004, the Honorable Ray Sullivan was elected to the

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Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing his constituency in District 29, which

 

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encompasses neighborhoods in the Towns of Coventry and West Greenwich. He served for three

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terms from 2005 to 2011; and

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     WHEREAS, During his tenure in the House, Ray was highly respected and valued by his

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peers. He served as Deputy Majority Leader, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Rules, and

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as a member of the House Committees on Environment and Natural Resources, Judiciary,

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Separation of Powers, and on the Joint Committee on Highway Safety; and

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     WHEREAS, Brilliant and perceptive, Ray had been employed in many political

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capacities. In 2002, he became deeply involved in Myrth York's Gubernatorial Campaign. He

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later served as State Director of the Obama campaign in 2008, Campaign Manager for US

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Representative James R. Langevin in 2010, Director of legislative and government affairs for

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former Lieutenant Governor Charles J. Fogarty, Executive Director of Marriage Equality Rhode

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Island from 2011 to 2013, when the state passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, and

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most recently at the Checkmate Consulting Group, for the last eight years; and

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     WHEREAS, Ray Sullivan gathered many friends and admirers during his lifetime who

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affectionately described him as "big hearted and vivacious," a "fearless advocate for the LGBTQ

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community" and a man who "had an unmatched sense of humor and never took himself too

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seriously, but he took the work he did very seriously because he understood its impact on real

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people." He devoted his life to the noble profession of public service and he will be deeply

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missed; now, therefore be it

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

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extends deepest condolences to the family of Raymond J. Sullivan, Jr.; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Maureen and Raymond Sullivan, Sr.

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LC003203

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