2004 -- S 3125

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LC03420

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004

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

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ARTHUR J. BELAIR

     Introduced By: Senators Cote, and Badeau

     Date Introduced: May 18, 2004

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Arthur J. “Bones” Belair was born on December 19, 1919 in Manchester,

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New Hampshire, and was the son of the late Arthur and Zelma Belair; and

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     WHEREAS, Arthur served his nation during World War II in the United States Army

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with valor and courage and after the war dedicated himself to helping out his fellow veterans and

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keeping the memory of their great service to our nation alive by writing about issues of great

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concern to our veterans and reminding all of us that these men and women made tremendous

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sacrifices in order to keep our nation free; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to writing about veterans’ issues for the Woonsocket Call and

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earning their 1982 “Unsung Hero Award,” Arthur wrote for more than ten different veterans’

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organizations and volunteered his services to a plethora of veterans groups in Woonsocket. In

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honor of his exemplary service, Arthur was named the “Veteran of the Year” by the United

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Veterans Council in 1997; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to working on veterans issues, Arthur found time to volunteer

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for the “Can of Hope” program, TOCTA, and the “Kitchen of Cheer” program. Arthur was

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honored countless times for his volunteerism including receiving the keys to the City of

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Woonsocket from former Mayor Gerard Bouley and citations of appreciation from former

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Governor J. Joseph Garrahy and the Woonsocket City Council; 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 extends its deepest condolences on the passing of Arthur J. Belair to his wife, Elvira his

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sons John Belair, James Belair and Joseph Belair, his daughter Dorothy Lewin, his brother John

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M. Belair, and to his eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; 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 family of Arthur J. “Bones” Belair.

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LC03420

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