2003 -- S 1084

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LC03280

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2003

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

CONGRATULATING W. MICHAEL SULLIVAN ON THE

OCCASION OF HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY

     Introduced By: Senator Leo R. Blais

     Date Introduced: May 15, 2003

     Referred To: Senate held on desk

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     WHEREAS, William Michael Sullivan was born on May 19, 1953 in Attleboro,

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Massachusetts, blissfully unaware that he was destined to grow into a prominent southeastern

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New England citizen, who would have an impact on academia, government, and the political

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scene in the neighboring State of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Michael Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University

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of Rhode Island, his first major academic achievement in his longtime association with the

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University. He went on to receive a Master of Science Degree from the University of Vermont in

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1978, and earned a Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska in 1981; and

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     WHEREAS, After deciding on a career in academia, Michael joined the faculty at the

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University of Rhode Island and fully immersed himself in the finer points of denitrification of

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grasses and non-point agricultural pollution. Professor Sullivan's professional life has been

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distinguished by numerous published articles and research interests that include land use

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management and applications of science to land use policy; and

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     WHEREAS, With an appreciation for the bucolic beauty and rural charms of South

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County firmly ingrained from earlier years at the University of Rhode Island, Michael and his

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wife Mary found an old farmhouse in Richmond and transformed their "diamond in the rough"

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into a gracious gentleman's farm. The farmhouse became the homestead for the happy couple;

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for their three children Matthew, Peter and Bridget; and for a variety of farm animals that have

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included cows, sheep and chickens. Of all the animals who have inhabited the farm, however,

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none has stolen his heart like his Springer Spaniel Chloe, a particularly well-bred dog who has

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become a loyal family companion; and

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     WHEREAS, An interest in public service was ignited with Michael's appointments to

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local and regional bodies such as the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District, eventually

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leading to a run for the Richmond Town Council in 1988. His service on the council lasted

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through 1992, when he was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate. In his four years of service

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to the Senate, he made lifelong friends, served his constituents honorably, perfected the fine art of

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parliamentary procedure, and made his mark on environmental issues and Republican politics.

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He has since returned to local politics, where he once again serves as a member – and was

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elevated to President – of the Richmond Town Council.

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     WHEREAS, Despite a demanding schedule, career, and involvement in public service,

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Michael has kept a healthy balance in his life, preserving time to indulge his love of winter sports,

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to develop his golfing prowess, and to enjoy good friendships, fine wine, and precious time with

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family; and

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     WHEREAS, The first fifty years of Michael's life have produced a wealth of

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achievements, but none inspires more pride than his family. His accomplished wife Mary and the

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varied educational and career pursuits of the three grown children they raised together are the

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source of great satisfaction to this devoted family man; 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 congratulates our former colleague and friend W. Michael Sullivan on the occasion of his

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50th birthday and wishes him many more years of health and happiness; 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 William Michael Sullivan.

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LC03280

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