2005 -- S 0486

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LC00072

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2005

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

EXPRESSING PROFOUND SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF WALTER "SALTY" BRINE

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Paiva-Weed, J Montalbano, Sosnowski, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2005

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Walter

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Leslie Brine, better known to thousands of Rhode Island residents as the New England institution

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and luminous legend of the airwaves, "Salty Brine"; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Arlington, Massachusetts on August 8, 1918, the son of a carpenter

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and youngest of four children, Salty attained a Bachelor of Arts in Oratory from Staley College in

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Massachusetts. He met and married his wife of fifty-six years, the late Mickey Owens, while in

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college. Together the couple had one son, Walter Brine, Jr. Salty was a long-time resident of

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Harbour Island in Narragansett, not far away from the beach in Galilee that was re-named in his

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honor; and

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     WHEREAS, Entertaining and informing his avid listeners for five decades on WPRO

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radio, Salty Brine began his career as a staff announcer at the station in September of 1942. Very

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few children growing up in Rhode Island during his broadcasting career will ever forget the

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phrase "No school, Foster-Glocester!" or hoping that school in their town would be cancelled

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next. In addition to his fifty year radio career, Salty, along with his collie Jeff, hosted "Salty

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Brine's Shack," a live children's television program that aired from 1955 until 1968, and where a

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generation of children were told daily to "remember to brush your teeth and say your prayers";

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and

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     WHEREAS, At the age of ten, Salty suffered a severe leg injury, making him particularly

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sensitive to persons with physical and mental handicaps. His devotion and empathy to charitable

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causes led to his endorsement and sponsorship of many fundraising events, and his personal

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involvement in numerous altruistic endeavors; and

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     WHEREAS, Following his heart and his conscience, and with remarkable passion and

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persistent hard work, Salty earned numerous distinctions and honors for his charitable endeavors.

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In 1979, Salty was inducted into the Rhode Island Hall of Fame and was the Rhode Island

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Advertising Club's "Person of the Year" in 1988. In 1989, he was honored with the "Lifebeat top

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Jock Award" and received the "Robert Cy Killian Humanitarian Award" in 1996; and

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     WHEREAS, Walter "Salty" Brine was committed to helping others throughout New

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England. His warmth and enthusiasm are indelibly imprinted on our hearts and there is no doubt

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that he has left Rhode Island a far better place because of his life's endeavors. His integrity and

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common sense enriched the lives of all who knew him and set a standard for excellence in

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broadcasting that is an inspiration to us all; 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 express our deepest sympathies to wife Roseanna, and the Brine family on the passing of

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Walter "Salty" Brine. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered for his commitment and

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dedication to those in need and for his service to the citizens of the State of Rhode Island; and be

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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 duly certified copies of this resolution to Roseanna Brine and Walter Brine, Jr.

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