2017 -- H 6273

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LC002787

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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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 THE HONORABLE ARTHUR N.

VOTOLATO

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, McEntee, Shekarchi, Solomon, and Craven

     Date Introduced: May 31, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

of retired Judge Arthur N. Votolato, beloved father of Dacia and Hera Votolato, and Rhode

Island's first and the country's longest-serving United States Bankruptcy Court judge; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, Arthur Votolato was the son of the late Arthur Votolato

and Mary Tavani, and the brother of Gregory Votolato and Dolores Barchi. He earned his

Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island and his Juris Doctor from Boston

University School of Law; and

     WHEREAS, In 1956, Judge Votolato was sworn into the Rhode Island Bar and over the

next five years, practiced law with his father. He subsequently went on to become the Freeway

Property Acquisition Coordinator for the Department of Transportation and served as Chief

Special Counsel to the Rhode Island Department of Public Works. In addition, he served on the

First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for Massachusetts and Maine, and from 1996 until his

passing, had served as Chief Judge of the First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel; and

     WHEREAS, From 1968 until August of 2012, Judge Votolato presided over the U.S.

Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island in Providence. Described as a "people's

judge", he dispensed with the usual judge's robe as well as the "All Rise" courtroom formality and

instead asked litigators and participants to remain seated. Throughout his tenure on the bench, he

extended his full attention and always treated those around him and in his courtroom with

manners and respect. At the time of his retirement, the courtroom in which he had spent more

than three decades of his career, was dedicated in his name; and

     WHEREAS, Judge Votolato amassed numerous professional distinctions during the

course of his illustrious career. He had recently been inducted into the Rhode Island Hall of Fame

and had previously been honored with the Recognition Award from the Rhode Island Bar

Association, and the Award to Distinguished Bankruptcy Judges from the National Conference of

Bankruptcy Judges. He had also been an Adjunct Professor at Roger Williams College for a

number of years, and had been the author of myriad legal reviews and opinions; and

     WHEREAS, Judge Votolato was a proud and devoted father to his two daughters, who

were unquestionably the loves of his life. For many years, he also enjoyed flying his airplane and

would oftentimes invite friends to join him on his adventures. He possessed a brilliant mind, and

a fair and magnanimous spirit, and he will be profoundly missed by those who had the good

fortune to be a part of his vital and fulfilling life; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest personal sympathies to the family of the

Honorable Arthur N. Votolato. He will forever be remembered by the entire membership and the

citizens of this State as a highly respected and admired judge who presided with fairness and

justice over the matters before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island; and be

it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Dacia Votolato and Hera Votolato.

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