2021 -- H 5043

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LC000148

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND THANKING MAYOR JAMES DIOSSA FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE

TO THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL FALLS AND THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Shekarchi, Alzate, Tobon, Barros, Filippi,
Vella-Wilkinson, Fellela, C Lima, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In 2013, James Diossa became the first Latino and youngest Mayor in the

City of Central Falls and at the time, the State. The son of immigrant textile mill workers from

Colombia, he was born and raised in Central Falls, and attended Becker College in

Massachusetts, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly after graduation, he became concerned with so many of his

contemporaries leaving the City he loved. Inspired by Barack Obama's campaign for President, he

formed a grassroots campaign consisting of friends and family to run for a seat on the Central

Falls City Council representing the 4th Ward, and despite having very limited resources and no

prior political experience, he challenged the local political machine and won the election by

seventeen votes. He was sworn in as a member of the Central Falls City Council in January of

2010; and

     WHEREAS, With the energy of youth and a determination to make a positive change for

the people of the City, then-Councilor Diossa assiduously engaged his constituency in an all-out

effort to make government more accessible for the City's working-class. He successfully

advocated to keep the City's only public library and post office open, and when the City's

reputation came under increased negative attack in the media, he called upon State and Federal

leaders to visit with the hard working families in his amazing City; and

     WHEREAS, In 2012, Central Falls was pummeled with both fiscal and political

difficulties. Stepping up to the challenge, then-Councilor James Diossa ran for Mayor, winning

decisively. He was sworn in as Mayor in January of 2013, re-elected in 2016, and has not only

restored the City's reputation for honest governance, but has also rebuilt its fiscal sustainability

and civic pride; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure, Mayor Diossa led the city out of bankruptcy, raising its

long-term bond rating to “BBB” investment grade and has been successful in securing millions in

federal and foundation funding for quality of life and infrastructure improvements. He has

championed improvements to infrastructure and better sanitation equipment, and opened a

tutoring center for children whose parents are immigrants and don’t speak English fluently; and

     WHEREAS, Mayor James Diossa has successfully made Central Falls the “comeback

city” of Rhode Island and through his example, he has energized a new generation of civic

leaders, and he is eminently deserving of our gratitude and admiration; now, therefore be it

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

honors and thanks Mayor James Diossa for his dedicated service to the people of the City of

Central Falls and the State of Rhode Island. We moreover wish him, his fiancée, Senator Sandra

Cano, and their beautiful baby daughter, Arianna Hallel, good health, happiness, and much

success in all future endeavors; 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 the Honorable James Diossa.

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