2000 -- S 2809

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LC02756
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S  E  N  A  T  E     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

CONGRATULATING WALTER CRYAN ON HIS RETIREMENT

WHEREAS, Walter Cryan a native of Cambridge and Lawrence, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, Walter received his B.S. in communications from Boston University in 1956; and

WHEREAS, While in the Armed Forces Walter worked in news and sports in Europe and was also a track announcer at Foxboro Raceway from 1963-1985; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, a young Walter Cryan entered the news scene at WPRI in Providence, Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, An honor was bestowed upon Walter in 1996 when the academy of television arts and sciences inducted Walter into the silver circle. The symbol of distinction is reserved for people who have been in broadcasting for 25 years or more in New England; and

WHEREAS, His career at 12 News has survived an incredible 7 station owners, 11 news directors and it has spanned 7 Presidencies; and

WHEREAS, When Walter first took his place behind the WPRI anchor desk Lyndon B. Johnson was in the White House and America was being torn apart by violence at home and overseas. The civil rights movement was in full swing and the first American soldiers were just setting foot on the battlefields in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Walter has seen remarkable changes over the years and has been able to share his unique perspective with viewers in a special series of reports called "Cryan's Chronicles." To mark the end of a great career Walter revisited memorable news events in the 6:00 news each Thursday. Each "Cryan's Chronicles" piece gave viewers an historical perspective on the news events that shaped our community. Walter reported on the construction of the first highway through Rhode Island back in the 1960's, the Blizzard of 1978 which dumped up to five feet of snow in the region, the changing face of the Mafia in New England and more recently the renaissance of downtown Providence; and

WHEREAS, In addition to covering the news for 35 years, Walter has also made countless contributions to the Providence Community. He co-hosted the country's oldest Fourth of July parade for eight years and hosted the Meeting Street Telethon for 22 years. Walter also sits on the Board of Trustees for Meeting Street, which is a school for special needs students; and

WHEREAS, Outside of his work and community responsibilities Walter somehow found the time to raise a very large, and loving family. Walter and his wife Ruthie have raised nine children; and

WHEREAS, Starting next month, Walter will be able to spend more time with his family. He'll be retiring from the career he loves after an amazing 35 years; and

WHEREAS, To sustain a career at the same news station for 35 years is a remarkable achievement in itself, but Walter Cryan not only survived, he set the standard for excellence in local news in the Providence Market; and

WHEREAS, On Friday March 3, 2000, Walter will say good-bye to his outstanding career at WPRI and rather than telling the news he will be able to enjoy hearing the news; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Walter Cryan on his retirement from WPRI on March 3, 2000; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the distinguished Walter Cryan.