2008 -- H 8418

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LC03173

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF HERBERT E. KAPLAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, and Fox

     Date Introduced: June 19, 2008

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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the passing of Herbert E. Kaplan, a man beloved by all who knew him and one who touched the

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hearts of numerous people and made a positive impact on their lives; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Herbert Kaplan was the son of the late

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Joseph and Lillian Kaplan. Following his studies at Yale and Harvard Business School, he

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worked in the jewelry industry; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Kaplan, partnering with wife and best friend Christine Townsend,

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blended a wonderful and loving family of children and stepchildren which include Lisa, Joy,

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Elizabeth, Meredith, Judge and John, and the late Peter Kaplan and James Arcaro. Their

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grandchildren include Nicole, Rachel, Shayna, Ben, Zoe, Michaela, Alicia, and Simone, and were

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his pride and joy; and

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     WHEREAS, Active in the New England Amateur Skating Foundation, Mr. Kaplan was

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also a member of the Advisory Board for Skate for Joy, an organization which teaches the U.S.

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Figure Skating program and basic hockey skills to inner city youth who otherwise would not have

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the opportunity to experience the joy of ice skating; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Kaplan was a past member of the advisory board for the Pawtucket-

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Providence Figure Skating Club, the 1916 Society of the Rhode Island Foundation and the

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Community Advisory Board for the United Way; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Kaplan's love for ice skating initiated his tireless efforts to give others

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the opportunity to experience the joy he felt on the ice, but his heart and altruistic efforts extended

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beyond skating; and

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     WHEREAS, After selling his business in 1987, Mr. Kaplan poured his immense energies

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and talents into philanthropic endeavors. He served on the boards of more than thirty non-profit

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organizations including the Family Service of Rhode Island, The Gordon School, Meeting Street,

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the Providence Public Library, Trinity Repertory Company, Common Cause of RI, the Poverty

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Institute, and Youth in Action, to name just a few; and

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     WHEREAS, Although never one to seek the accolades for himself, Herb Kaplan was

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often recognized for his selfless efforts. He is a Lambda Class graduate of LRI. He was named

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Rhode Island’s Philanthropic Citizen of the Year in 2001, received the Rhode Island College

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Alumni Service Award, and he has been honored by Leadership R.I., Meeting Street Center and

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Youth in Action; and

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      WHEREAS, Herb Kaplan leaves an inspiring legacy best summed up in his own words,

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“It’s a bad day if I haven’t helped someone”; now, therefore be it

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

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Providence Plantations hereby extends its deepest condolences to his wife Christine and family

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on the passing of Herbert E. Kaplan. He will be greatly missed; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Christine Townsend.

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LC03173

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