2022 -- H 7149

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LC004187

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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 RITA MICHAELSON

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Shallcross Smith, and
Hull

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Michaelson, the beloved wife of the late Julius "Mike" Michaelson, former Rhode Island

Attorney General, and the cherished mother of Mark and Jeffrey Michaelson; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Michaelson grew up in the City of Woonsocket, the daughter of the

late Hyman and Gertrude Caslowitz and the sister of Susan Green, and the late Arthur and Joel

Caslowitz. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Karen, her beloved grandchildren, Kristen

and Graham, brother-in-law Ron, sister-in-law, Joyce Richard, sister-in-law Barbara d'Oliveira,

and many cousins, nieces, nephews; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Michaelson attended Brown University, where she met, and shortly

after graduation married her husband, Julius. Together the two found a common purpose fighting

against discrimination and in support of civil rights and social justice, and helping those in need;

and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Michaelson became active in numerous community groups including

Lippitt Hill Tutorial, the Women's Intergroup Committee, and a panoply of committees and

boards for religious, civil rights, women's rights, diversity and other causes. Her efforts and

dedication led to her appointment as a Commissioner on the R.I. Human Rights Commission as

well as serving seven years as a docent and lay lecturer at the RISD museum; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Mrs. Michaelson had worked for many years in the Admissions

Office of her alma mater, Brown University, and later as a Trustee and Trustee Emeritus, and as a

member of many of the University's committees. She was also an arbitrator for the Rhode Island

Supreme Court, on the Labor Panel of the American Arbitration Association, a member of

numerous additional arbitration panels, and was a co-founder of the Providence Community

Mediation Center. Her dedication to her many altruistic endeavors and social causes earned her

numerous honors and commendation throughout her lifetime; and

     WHEREAS, As a young girl, Mrs. Michaelson had contracted polio which spurred her

father to encourage her to participate is sports in order to strengthen her muscles, and led to a love

for skiing, which she enjoyed with her family and friends until well into her 60's. She had also

enjoyed traveling with family and friends for many years; and

     WHEREAS, Rita Michaelson was blessed with a large and loving immediate and

extended family, many devoted and lifelong friendships, and a broad array of interesting new-

found friends. She lived her life with purpose and grace and she is dearly missed by all who were

lucky enough to be a part of her inspiring story; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Rita Michaelson; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mark Michaelson and Family, and Jeffrey

Michaelson and Family.

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LC004187

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