2012 -- H 8219

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LC02738

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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF PROFESSOR SCOTT W. NIXON

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Walsh, Valencia, Tanzi, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: May 29, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and regret that this House has learned of the passing

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of Scott W. Nixon, a world leader in the study of how coastal and estuarine ecosystems work and

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a highly respected Professor of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Professor Nixon earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from the

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University of Delaware and his Ph.D. in Botany-Ecology from the University of North Carolina-

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Chapel Hill; and 

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     WHEREAS, Professor Nixon joined the University of Rhode Island community in 1969. 

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His oceanography classes were notoriously difficult, but rewarded those who rose to the

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challenge with the ability and determination to explore new avenues of thought and

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understanding; and

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     WHEREAS, As a member of the University community and the oceanographic research

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community for more than four decades, Professor Nixon had served as Director of Rhode Island

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Sea Grant, Vice-Chair of a National Research Council committee on Everglades Restoration, and

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the University of Rhode Island's UNESCO-Cousteau Chair of Coastal Ecology and Global

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Assessment; and

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      WHEREAS, Earning professional acclaim in his field, Professor Nixon’s research has

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“helped define our understanding of marine ecosystems locally.”  He explored, compared, and

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contrasted marine ecosystems around the world and would then use that knowledge “to challenge

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himself to think in new ways and to challenge the scientific dogma of the times”; and 

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     WHEREAS, Professor Nixon was honored with the Sea Grant Association (SGA)

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Distinguished Service Award, given to select individuals in recognition of their outstanding

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ability to further the Sea Grant mission, the New England Estuarine Research Society Award for

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outstanding contributions to estuarine research, and the B. H. Ketchum Award for excellence in

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coastal research from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, to name just a few; and

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     WHEREAS, The admiration and recognition of his peers also earned Professor Nixon

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myriad professional titles and distinctions during the course of his career.  He was a member of

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the National Research Council's Ocean Studies Board, a national associate of the National

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Academies of Science, Chair of the NRC committee to review the Florida Keys Carrying

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Capacity Assessment Model, and member of the NRC committee to review the Louisiana Coastal

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Restoration Plan.  He was also the past Co-Editor-in-Chief of Estuaries and Coasts, a member of

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the Environmental Protection Agency's Massachusetts Bay Outfall Monitoring Scientific

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Advisory Committee, and numerous other boards and committees; and

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       WHEREAS, Scott Nixon possessed a brilliant mind and a vibrant spirit.  He was a vital

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member of the University of Rhode Island community and he will be profoundly missed by those

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who had the good fortune to be a part of his challenging and fulfilling life; 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 sympathies on the passing of Scott W.

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Nixon; 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 duly certified copies of this resolution to Carter Nixon and Beth Nixon.

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LC02738

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