2021 -- H 5499

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LC001474

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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

CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE JACK REED ON BEING NAMED THE CHAIR

OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian,
Chippendale, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Jack Reed was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, the son of

Mary Louise and Joseph Reed. He graduated from La Salle Academy and the United States

Military Academy at West Point, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. After

graduating, while on active duty, he earned the Ranger tab and served as a paratrooper in the 2nd

Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was a

Platoon Leader, Company Commander and Battalion Staff Officer. During his distinguished

military career, Senator Reed earned the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the

Senior Parachutist Badge, and the Expert Infantry Badge; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Reed attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at

Harvard University and received a Master of Public Policy degree. In 1978, he returned to West

Point to serve as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences. He departed from

active duty in 1979, after attaining the rank of Captain, and continued to serve in the United

States Army Reserve until 1991, attaining the rank of Major. Upon departing from active duty,

Senator Reed attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1982; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Reed was elected to the State Senate in 1984, serving for three

terms, and deeply impressing his colleagues and the public with his vast knowledge of important

public policy issues, and with his abiding integrity. In 1990, he was elected to the United States

House of Representatives, serving three terms and once again impressing his peers with his

knowledge on myriad issues, especially pertaining to education and health care; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Reed was first elected to the United States Senate in 2002, winning

with an impressive 63 percent of the vote. He has since won re-election overwhelmingly, in 2008

with 73 percent of the vote, 2014 with 71 percent of the vote, and in 2020 with 67 percent of the

vote. In his more than eighteen years of service in the United States Senate, Senator Reed has

been a leader on a wide range of issues including the economy, election security, veterans,

education, civil rights, and healthcare; and

     WHEREAS, Most notably, Senator Reed has been one of the most respected voices

within the Senate and the United States on issues related to the military and the armed services,

an issue of vital interest to Rhode Islanders considering the many Rhode Island residents who

work at Electric Boat and in Quonset Point. Senator Reed has served as the Ranking Member of

the United States Senate Armed Services Committee from January 3rd, 2015 to February 3rd,

2021; and

     WHEREAS, On February 3rd, 2021, it was announced that Senator Jack Reed would be

the new Chair of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee. His wise counsel, steady

demeanor and vast knowledge of military and world affairs will be of great benefit to our nation,

allies, and the citizens of the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates Senator Jack Reed on being named the Chair of the United States Senate Armed

Services Committee; 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 United States Senator Jack Reed.

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