2005 -- S 1229

=======

LC03612

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2005

____________

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

HONORING LINDA J. CALISTA ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

     Introduced By: Senators J Montalbano, and Paiva-Weed

     Date Introduced: July 01, 2005

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

1-1

     WHEREAS, Upon high school graduation, Linda Calista chose to enroll in the Katherine

1-2

Gibbs School. Her chosen career path eventually led to a career in public service that would span

1-3

almost twenty-nine years, and produce an individual who is not only essential to the legislators

1-4

she so capably serves, but invaluable to the efficiency of the entire Senate legislative process; and

1-5

     WHEREAS, To the immense good fortune of the Senate and citizens of the State, Linda

1-6

was recruited from the law offices of Blais, Cunningham, Thayer, Gagnon and Ross in 1977. On

1-7

January 3rd of that year, her illustrious career at the State House commenced. She began as a

1-8

secretary for then Senate Majority Leader, Joseph S. Gendron but her talents and drive were soon

1-9

discovered. In November of 1990, she became the office manager for Senate Majority Leader

1-10

John J. Bevilacqua, and in 1995 she was once again promoted and appointed Legislative

1-11

Coordinator for Senate Majority Leader Paul S. Kelly; and

1-12

     WHEREAS, As a result of her meticulous attention to detail, tireless energy, and years of

1-13

experience and knowledge, Linda was elevated to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for

1-14

Legislation. Her duties included coordination of copious bundles of complex legislation, an often

1-15

Herculean task, requiring long hours and immense aptitude and ability, for Senate Majority

1-16

Leader Paul S. Kelly. She continued in that capacity under President Irons and current Senate

1-17

President Joseph Montalbano; and

1-18

     WHEREAS, Linda occasionally shares her workspace at the State House with a rather

1-19

unusual desk partner named "Hershey Kisses." Her pet pooch travels to work with her, settling

1-20

down for a snooze in her little office bed. She doesn't get much work done but her affect on

2-1

morale is astounding; and

2-2

     WHEREAS, In addition to her hectic State House schedule, Linda has managed to

2-3

balance a fulfilling home life and a successful second career throughout the years. She and her

2-4

husband of twenty-five years, Jeff, concocted and launched a unique store with an eclectic

2-5

collection of merchandise named "A Little Bit of Everything," located on Newport Avenue in

2-6

Linda's hometown of Pawtucket; and

2-7

     WHEREAS, Linda will be retiring from her position with the Senate this December, but

2-8

her life will continue at a vigorous pace with hopefully a little more time for sewing, needlepoint,

2-9

ceramics and yard work, activities she loves; and

2-10

     WHEREAS, Linda Calista is a truly extraordinary woman and her departure leaves not

2-11

only very large shoes to fill, but an indelible mark on the colleagues and legislators who have had

2-12

the good fortune to work by her side. By virtue of her numerous years of devoted service to the

2-13

Rhode Island Senate and the citizens of the Ocean State, she serves as an inspiration and a role

2-14

model of conscientious civic service and is eminently worthy of our recognition and praise; now,

2-15

therefore be it

2-16

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

2-17

hereby expresses our heartfelt appreciation to Linda Calista for almost twenty-nine years of

2-18

dedicated service to the citizens, the General Assembly and the State of Rhode Island. We wish

2-19

her continued success and many years of good health and tremendous happiness; and be it further

2-20

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

2-21

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Linda J. Calista.

=======

LC03612

=======