2022 -- H 7053

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LC003501

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

WILLIAM D. DURAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Corvese, Messier, McNamara,
Ruggiero, Kennedy, O'Brien, Filippi, and Casey

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Honorable William D. Durand, a distinguished public servant, educator, lawyer, former member

of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and the devoted husband of Jeanne Durand; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Durand was born and raised in Pawtucket, the son of the late Francis

and Jeannette Durand. He attended Rhode Island College and was awarded a Bachelor's degree in

Music and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. He later attained a law degree from

Suffolk University in 1983. Mr. Durand also served our nation with honor as a member of the

Rhode Island National Guard’s 88th Army Band; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Durand taught music for nine years with distinction at Cumberland

Middle School. In 1981, he started a new career in the cable television industry and in 1985, he

joined the New England Cable & Television Association (NECTA), serving as Legal Counsel for

thirty-one years before retiring as the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel in 2016.

Mr. Durand also taught Business Law and Legal Environment of Business at Providence College

for twenty-two years; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Durand was elected five times to the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, serving his Pawtucket constituents with integrity from 1976 to 1985. He served

as the Vice-Chairman of the House Education and Welfare Committee and worked tirelessly on

generic drugs legislation and third-party coverage of alcoholism treatment; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Mr. Durand is survived by his son, Brian Durand and

his wife, Laurie, and his daughter, Jennifer Sousa and her husband, Jason. He is also survived by

his five grandchildren, Madison, Violette, and Maxwell Durand and Jacob and Elleana Sousa, as

well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Durand was the brother of Paul Durand and his wife,

Paula, Douglas Durand and his wife, Elizabeth, Nancy McAllister and her husband, James, Lynne

Clay and her husband, Robert, and the late Emma Durand, Susan Ritchotte, and Stephen Durand;

now, therefore be it

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

offers its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable William D. Durand; 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 Mrs. Jeanette Durand and Family.

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