2012 -- S 3070

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LC02838

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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

HONORING SENATOR JOHN J. TASSONI, JR., FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2012

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It is with regret and sadness that we bid farewell to our good friend and

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colleague Senator John Tassoni, who is retiring from the Rhode Island Senate, District 22, after

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twelve years of devoted service to his constituents in North Smithfield and Smithfield and the

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citizens of the State of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Senator Tassoni was elected to the Rhode Island Senate in November of

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2000. Earning the respect of his peers, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate

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Committee on Housing & Municipal Government and is a member of the Senate Committee on

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Special Legislation; and

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     WHEREAS, An outspoken advocate on a plethora of issues, Senator Tassoni has

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sponsored and supported public health and environmental protection legislation that would

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require the safe disposal of potentially toxic human waste, as well as legislation providing

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advocacy for animals, and was the prime sponsor for the Homeless Bill of Rights; and

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     WHEREAS, A strong leader on affordable housing and homelessness issues throughout

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his tenure, Senator Tassoni was pivotal in the development of the state’s affordable housing

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statute. He strongly advocated for the funding of the Neighborhood Opportunities Program and

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sponsored legislation to establish a Homeless Bill of Rights; and

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     WHEREAS, Senator Tassoni’s commitment to the community extends beyond his

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service at the State House.  He is also a member of myriad business and professional

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organizations, including serving on the Executive Board of the AFL/CIO, as a member of the

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International Brotherhood of Elks, Smithfield 2359, and the Smithfield Lions Club, and as an

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AFL-CIO United Way Counselor.  His personal advocacy helped to bring lights to the football

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fields in Smithfield and North Smithfield, and raise funds for the Lions Club's Cancer in Children

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Fund. He is also a communicant at St. Michael's Church; and

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     WHEREAS, A prolific and outspoken public servant, one never has to guess about his

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position on any issue. We know that many newsroom email inboxes will be a little less full; and

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       WHEREAS, Senator Tassoni’s leadership and tireless devotion to the citizens of the

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Ocean State have earned him our unqualified admiration and respect, and he will most assuredly

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be missed; 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 honors Senator John J. Tassoni, Jr., as he concludes his service in the Rhode Island

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General Assembly.  We thank him for a job well done, and extend our sincere wishes for his

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continued health, happiness, and success; 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 Honorable John J. Tassoni, Jr.

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LC02838

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