2021 -- H 5660

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

ALTON W. WILEY, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN JUDGE TO SIT ON THE RHODE

ISLAND DISTRICT AND SUPERIOR COURTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Williams, Blazejewski, Hull, Henries,
Alzate, Abney, Ranglin-Vassell, Barros, and Biah

     Date Introduced: February 23, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Honorable Justice Alton W. Wiley, a highly-respected Justice, and the first African-American

Jurist to sit on the Rhode Island District and Superior Courts; and

     WHEREAS, Alton Wiley was a son of the late Olive and William Wiley, and the brother

of Lucille Davis, Beverly Wiley, Edwin Wiley, and the late George Wiley, and Shirley Green.

He was the devoted partner of Mary Ann Conlan for more than forty years and the beloved father

of Alton Wiley, Jr., Jacqueline Wiley and Deane Wiley; and

     WHEREAS, Justice Wiley graduated from the University of Rhode Island, where he

excelled in both the classroom and athletics, earning Hall of Fame status in track and field. He

also participated in the University's Army ROTC program, and served our nation with honor and

distinction as an active duty Second Lieutenant in France. From 1953 to 1979, he continued his

service in the United States Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and

     WHEREAS, Justice Wiley attained his law degree from Boston University and built a

sterling legal reputation in the ensuing years, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney, an

Assistant Legal Counsel in Employment Security, Assistant Public Defender, and as a member of

the Rhode Island Governor’s Legislative Counsel; and

     WHEREAS, In 1981, the Honorable Alton Wiley became the first African-American to

serve on the Rhode Island District Court when he was appointed by former Governor J. Joseph

Garrahy. He was subsequently elevated to the Rhode Island Superior Court, once again earning

the recognition of becoming the first African-American to serve as a Superior Court Justice.

After a long and distinguished career, he retired in 1994; and

     WHEREAS, Honored numerous times during the course of his illustrious career, Justice

Wiley was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Rhode Island, was a

member of the URI College of Business Administration Hall of Fame, and was a former URI

Vice President of Student Affairs and Past President of the Alumni Association; and

     WHEREAS, Justice Wiley was admired by all for his legal acumen, tireless work ethic,

abiding concern for all who appeared in his courtroom, regardless of their station in life, and for

the sagacious wisdom he continually dispensed from the bench; now, therefore be it

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

expresses our gratitude for his devoted service to this State, and our deepest condolences to the

Wiley Family on the passing of the Honorable Justice Alton Wiley; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mary Ann Conlan, Alton W. Wiley, Jr.,

Jacqueline Wiley, Deane Wiley, Lucille Davis, Beverly Wiley, and Edwin Wiley.

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