2009 -- S 0795

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LC02076

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2009

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

HONORING SENATOR JOSEPH A. MONTALBANO FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE

OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, Ruggerio, Connors, Lenihan, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2009

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It has been said that there are six essential qualities a person must possess in

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order to be successful in life. They are sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom

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and charity, and so it is not hard to understand why Joe Montalbano has had such a distinguished

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career and played such a vital role in providing leadership and direction in the State of Rhode

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Island; and

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      WHEREAS, Joseph A. Montalbano was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Upon

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graduation from Portsmouth Priory School, he attended the University of Pennsylvania, attaining

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his Bachelor’s Degree in 1975, and in 1979, he earned his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s School

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of Law; and  

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     WHEREAS, Elected to the Rhode Island Senate on November 6th of 1988, Senator

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Montalbano was initially appointed to serve as Secretary of the Senate Judiciary Committee and

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as a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education and Welfare. His constituency in

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District 17 has included citizens from Lincoln, North Providence and Pawtucket; and

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      WHEREAS, Earning the utmost respect from his peers, Senator Montalbano was chosen

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by his fellow democratic senators to serve as Senate Majority Leader in 2002, and in January of

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2004, he was elected President of the Rhode Island Senate by unanimous consent; and

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      WHEREAS, During his tenure as President, Senator Montalbano made property tax

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relief a priority and oversaw a myriad of essential legislative bills that not only provided better

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governance to Ocean State residents, but also earned him the Charles Dick Medal of Honor in

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2003, the Verrazzano Day “Man of the Year” in 2004, the Barbara C. Burlingame Award for

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Distinguished Public Service in 2006, and was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Rhode

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Island Childhood Lead Action Project; and

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      WHEREAS, Currently a practicing attorney with a flourishing law office in North

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Providence, Senator Montalbano also serves as Chief Judge of the North Providence Municipal

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Court and has taught Constitutional Law and Criminal Law at the Community College of Rhode

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Island. He is married to his lovely wife Linda, and is the proud father of Stephen Montalbano;

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and  

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     WHEREAS, Senator Montalbano’s leadership and tireless devotion to the citizens of the

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Ocean State have earned him the unqualified admiration and esteem of this Senate and the people

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of the State of Rhode Island. He is a man of trust and value, who was both efficient and effective.

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He is a true gentleman, who has consistently demonstrated that honor is something to be earned,

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and that all people deserve courtesy and consideration, and he is a wannabe rock and roll singer,

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who is actually pretty good; and  

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     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that we bid farewell to our good friend and colleague

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Senator Joe Montalbano. He will most assuredly be missed; now, therefore be it

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      RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby honors Senator Joseph A. Montalbano for his service in the Rhode Island General

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Assembly. We thank him for a job well done, and extend our sincere wishes for his continued

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health, happiness and success; 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 The Honorable Joseph Montalbano.

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LC02076

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