2013 -- H 5001

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LC00139

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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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 RICHARD J. WALTON

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Guthrie, Mattiello, Bennett, and Hull

     Date Introduced: January 02, 2013

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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J. Walton, father of Richard Walton and Cathy Barnard, and a highly respected author, teacher,

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journalist, and social and political activist; and

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     WHEREAS, Richard Walton was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, to Gertrude and

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Richard James Walton.  After moving to Providence with his family, he attended Classical High School

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Classical High School and received a bachelor's degree from Brown University.  His studies at Brown were

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Classical High School and received a bachelor's degree from Brown University.  His studies at Brown were interrupted for two years while he served in the United States Navy as a journalist's mate; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from Brown, Mr. Walton worked as a disc jockey for

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WICE, a Providence radio station.  In 1954, he continued his education, receiving his master's

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degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism; and

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     WHEREAS, Multi-talented in a panoply of journalistic roles, Mr. Walton worked at The

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Providence Journal, the New York World-Telegram, the New York Sun, and the Voice of

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America Radio.  He was the producer-host of Report to Africa, a principal United Nations

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correspondent, and an extensively published author; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Walton taught at Rhode Island College for more than two

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decades and had also been a teacher at Housatonic Community College, The New School for Social Research

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The New School for Social Research in New York City, and what is now Western Connecticut State University; and

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     WHEREAS, Always an active and contributing member of the community, Mr. Walton

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held numerous charitable fundraisers, had a long-time affiliation with Amos House, where he

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served as President for many years, and was a vital supporter of the non-profit folk-music venue

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Stone Soup Coffeehouse, serving as President of its parent organization, the Stone Soup Folk Arts

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Foundation, for many years.  He had also run for vice president on the Citizens Party ticket and

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was an early and very active member of the Green Party in Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Walton was a conduit to change through his advocacy for the homeless,

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the hungry, and those less fortunate.  His social and political conscience left this world a far better

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place and enriched the lives of all who knew him.  He will be dearly missed; 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 Richard J.

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Walton; 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 Richard Walton and Cathy Barnard.

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LC00139

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