2022 -- S 2002

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LC003517

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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S E N A T 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: Senators Euer, Raptakis, Miller, Lawson, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: January 03, 2022

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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

of the Honorable Raymond J. Sullivan, Jr., a former valued member of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, a dedicated advocate for myriad social justice issues, and a highly-respected

political strategist; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

City Recreation League; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

terms from 2005 to 2011; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

missed; now, therefore be it

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

condolences to the family of Raymond J. Sullivan, Jr.; 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 Maureen and Raymond Sullivan, Sr.

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