2013 -- H 5925

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LC02217

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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

CONGRATULATING DR. KATE MCCARTHY-BARNETT ON HER INDUCTION INTO

THE COVENTRY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

     Introduced By: Representatives Guthrie, Tomasso, Nunes, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2013

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, For decades, Dr. McCarthy-Barnett, a teacher, a writer, and a coordinator

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extraordinaire, has been providing leadership and making a significant difference in efforts to

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help people “turn disabilities into abilities”; and

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     WHEREAS, While attending high school, Dr. McCarthy-Barnett was diagnosed with a

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chronic illness that resulted in the need for extensive bed rest.  Without holding back on her goals

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and with the aid of tutors and determination, she graduated from Coventry High School in 1985. 

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She continued her education, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and her Doctorate in

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Education; and

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     WHEREAS, For some people, a difficult health diagnosis might well have a limiting

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effect on their joy for life or their ambitions, not so for Dr. McCarthy-Barnett.  From her high

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school experiences came an empathy and a life-calling to motivate and help people with

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disabilities; and  

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     WHEREAS, Dr. McCarthy-Barnett has conducted research, taught courses, and written a

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column for the Providence Journal on eliminating barriers in education and employment for

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people with disabilities and overcoming adversity to lead productive lives; and

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     WHEREAS, Recently, Dr. McCarthy-Barnett has worked with the Department of

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Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 1 as the Regional Disability

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Integration Specialist.  She is also an appointed member of the organization’s Council and is a

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member of the Regional Incident Management Assistance Team.  In her capacity as a Specialist,

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she has helped to establish plans to assist people with disabilities during times of emergency; and

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     WHEREAS, Within our state, Dr. McCarthy-Barnett has served as Chair of the Rhode

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Island Department of Human Services State Rehabilitation Council and Co-Chair of the Council’s

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State Plan, Policy, and Quality Assurance Committee.  In addition, she is Vice Chair of the

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Governor’s Commission on Disabilities and Chair of the Commission’s Accessibility Committee,

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to name just a few of her commitments; and

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     WHEREAS, Throughout her lifetime, Dr. McCarthy-Barnett has earned her reputation

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for excellence and dedication to others.  Being an Inductee into the Coventry High School

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Alumni Association Hall of Fame is a momentous tribute to this exceptional woman who has

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provided future generations of Coventry High School graduates with a role model worthy of their

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recognition and emulation; 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 congratulates and honors Dr. McCarthy-Barnett on her induction

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into the Coventry High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame.  We wish her good health,

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much happiness, and continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dr. McCarthy-Barnett.

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LC02217

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