2011 -- S 0709

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LC02271

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2011

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

HONORING FRANCIS "FRANK" J. FLYNN ON THE OCCASSION OF HIS RETIREMENT

AS AN EDUCATOR FROM THE CRANSTON SCHOOL SYSTEM

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Miller, and Lanzi

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2011

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Francis J. Flynn, is the son of Irish immigrants, was raised in Providence

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and educated at Our Lady of Providence, then moved to Cranston as a senior in high school,

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where he has remained a fixture in the city ever since; and

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     WHEREAS, Frank’s volunteer work at the Fogarty Center with children and adults who

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have developmental disabilities inspired his passion for education, leading to 34 years of

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dedicated service to the youth of Cranston; and

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     WHEREAS, Frank influenced the lives of the students throughout the Cranston school

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system, beginning at May Westcott School, then Park View Middle School and eventually, Frank

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finished his career at Cranston East High School, where he last served as a special education

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teacher; and

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     WHEREAS, Frank’s storied career with the union started during the 1977 school year

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when he was elected to be a building delegate at May Westcott School. After holding many

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positions in the union, including Chairman of the negotiations team, his hard work and dedication

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led to the top leadership role when he became President of the Cranston Teacher’s Alliance in

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2003; and

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     WHEREAS, Frank’s union commitments extend beyond Cranston’s borders to a

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statewide level, where he serves on the Executive Board of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, the board

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of the New England Laborers’/Construction Career Academy, and membership in the American

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Federation of Teachers; and

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     WHEREAS, Over the last three decades, while exemplifying the ideals of an enthusiastic

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and truly dedicated leader, Frank has worked hard to build communication between the union and

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the administration, seeing the Cranston Teachers Alliance through challenging times and

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overseeing the ongoing mending of educational relations in the city; and

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     WHEREAS, Frank’s passion for, and continued presence in the classroom, has given him

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the ability to be a strong advocate for both the students and the teachers. Frank understands what

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is transferable to the classroom and what is impractical. His many years of teaching experience

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has provided the insight for innovative reforms such as mentoring and new evaluation systems for

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educators; 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 recognizes, honors, and thanks Francis “Frank” J. Flynn on the occasion of his retirement

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after many years of steadfast and unselfish service with the City of Cranston. We wish him good

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health, fulfillment, and continued success in his future position as President of the Rhode Island

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Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals; 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 Mr. Francis “Frank” J. Flynn.

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LC02271

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