2021 -- S 0616

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LC002380

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE KATHLEEN CONNELL ON HER RETIREMENT

AS THE RHODE ISLAND STATE DIRECTOR FOR THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF

RETIRED PEOPLE (AARP) AND THANKING AND HONORING HER FOR HER MANY

YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Euer, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Sosnowski,
Felag, Picard, Seveney, and Gallo

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2021

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Kathleen Connell was born in Newport, daughter of

Lawrence and Margaret Sullivan. She graduated magna cum laude from Salve Regina University

with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and later earned a Master’s degree in International

Relations from Salve Regina University; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Connell has devoted much of her life in support of healthcare in Rhode

Island and has worked diligently to ensure that all Rhode Islanders receive the best healthcare

services possible. After graduating from college, she joined the visiting Nurse Service and

worked in the local neighborhoods and communities delivering much-needed healthcare services

to the sick and elderly. She then brought her healthcare knowledge into the schools and taught

health in middle school and established the first healthcare curriculum in the Newport public

school system; and

     WHEREAS, Kathleen Connell then proceeded to embark on a public service career

where she served her constituents and the citizens of our State at all times with integrity and

tireless service. She was a thoughtful leader who was always held in high regard by her peers.

She began her distinguished public service career serving as a member of the Middletown School

Committee from 1965 to 1976, and serving as its Chair from 1971 to 1976. She was elected to the

Middletown Town Council in 1976, serving until 1982, and as the Council’s Vice Chair from

1980 to 1982; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Connell served one term in the Rhode Island State Senate, served as

Vice Chair of the Democratic State Committee and was appointed to the Credentials Committee

for the Democratic National Convention in 1988. Throughout her long public service career, she

was a champion advocate for better healthcare, including long-term care, better pay for nurses,

improving nursing education, and increasing access to quality healthcare for all citizens; and

     WHEREAS, In 1986, Kathleen Connell was elected to serve as Rhode Island’s Secretary

of State, a position she held for three terms. As Secretary of State, she played a leading role on

issues related to voter education and voter reform, and was a passionate advocate in support of

increasing parity for women in all levels and aspects of government and society; and

     WHEREAS, Prior to assuming the position as Rhode Island State Director of the

American Association of Retired People, (AARP Rhode Island’s former name) in 1999, Ms.

Connell served as the Coordinator of Governmental Relations at Brown University’s Northeast

and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory; and

     WHEREAS, In her more than twenty years of service as the leader of AARP Rhode

Island, Ms. Connell has effectively represented the vital interest of Rhode Island’s retirees,

particularly those interests related to healthcare and public safety. Her vast knowledge of issues

of importance to seniors and her many years of governmental experience made her the ideal

person to represent the concerns and needs of Rhode Island’s seniors to a wide array of important

public policy people, from elected leaders at the legislative, executive and local levels to business

groups, healthcare associations, and public safety groups. Her thoughts on the issues of the day

have always been valued and listened to by the important decision-makers in our state; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Connell has served as a member of numerous important civic

organizations during her exemplary public service career. She was a founding Director and Past

President of Shake-A-Leg, a national organization for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. She

has served on the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse Association of Newport and on the

Board of Incorporators of Delta Dental. She has also been very active with the Japan-America

Society/Black Ships Festival, serving as President and now as President Emeritus; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Connell has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions

throughout her career including receiving a citation from the Consul General of Japan, the John

E. Fogarty Humanitarian Award, the Salve Regina University, Alumna of the Year Award, and

the Juliette Low Award from the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates the

Honorable Kathleen Connell on her retirement as the Rhode Island Director of the American

Association of Retired People (AARP), and thanks and honors her for her many years of

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distinguished public service; 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 Kathleen Connell.

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