2012 -- H 7023

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LC00260

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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

EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF PROVIDENCE

CITY COUNCILMAN MIGUEL C. LUNA

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Ajello, Cimini, and Tarro

     Date Introduced: January 04, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

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passing of Providence City Councilman Miguel C. Luna, a remarkable man whose passion for

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public service was visible in his work for the City of Providence, Ward 9, and the City Council,

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and left an indelible impression on everyone he met; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in San Pedro de Macoris, a small town in the Dominican Republic, to

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Mireya (Perez) Luna and the late Miguel D. Luna, Councilman Luna was the proud father of

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Dante, Sofie, and Omar, and the loving brother of Ysa, Belkiss, Josefina, Teresa, and Antonio;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Before coming to Rhode Island in 1984, Councilman Luna was active

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helping immigrants and artists improve the quality of their lives in the Dominican Republic. He

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later worked throughout the United States, fighting and organizing for social justice for many

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groups, from farm workers in Ohio to community groups in Los Angeles; and

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     WHEREAS, Councilman Luna’s experiences when he first came to Rhode Island,

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working in construction, jewelry manufacturing, and at the International Institute and Amos

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House, gave him a unique and valuable perspective that helped make him an effective and

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humble public servant; and

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     WHEREAS, Councilman Luna made history as the first Dominican-American and only

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the second Latino Councilman to be elected to the Providence City Council. He began his first

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term in January of 2003 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010; and

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     WHEREAS, An exceptional person who worked tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of

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Providence, Councilman Luna was a founding member of the community organization Direct

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Action for Rights and Equality and was involved with additional community organizations,

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including the International Institute, Jobs with Justice, the Olneyville Neighborhood Association,

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Amos House, the San Miguel School, and the Center for Minority Advancement in the Building

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Trades; and

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     WHEREAS, Councilman Luna leaves a legacy of ordinances and legislation addressing

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public safety, environmental sustainability, protections for workers, accessible government,

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police accountability, immigrant rights, to name just a few; and

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     WHEREAS, Even though we are diminished by this loss and mourn the passing of

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Councilman Luna, so must we celebrate the spirit, generosity, and courage with which he lived.

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His life and achievements will live on for many years to come in the memories of everyone

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fortunate enough to have been touched by the quality of this remarkable man; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest condolences on the passing of Providence

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City Councilman Miguel C. Luna; 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 Mireya Luna and family.

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LC00260

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