2021 -- S 0843

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LC002730

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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

HONORING MR. GEORGE KENT FOR SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF DEVOTED AND

FAITHFUL SERVICE TO CHRIST CHURCH IN WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senator Dennis L. Algiere

     Date Introduced: April 26, 2021

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, George "Bunky" Kent, a talented and celebrated organist and choirmaster, is

an accomplished musician and artist recognized throughout Westerly and Rhode Island for his

service to Christ Church and for the indelible mark he has made within the music and arts scene;

and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kent earned degrees from the University of Rhode Island, the New

England Conservatory of Music, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree (honoris causa) from

the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He studied with noted musicians Donald

Willing, George Faxon, and Roger Voisin, founded and directed the Chorus of Westerly, and had

a distinguished career as a member of the University of Rhode Island Music School faculty,

where he still serves as a professor of music emeritus and teaches music classes as an adjunct

professor; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kent also recorded albums with celebrated trumpet virtuoso Edward

Tarr, toured and lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, founded a

music camp in New Hampshire, and earned numerous awards and honors, including the

prestigious Rhode Island Governor's Arts Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the New

England Conservatory, and the Encore Award for Individual Achievement from the Arts and

Business Council of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Kent is a beloved and celebrated figure within the Westerly community

and the Christ Church Congregation. Ryan Saunders, Executive Director of the Chorus of

Westerly, stated that when one was a member of Mr. Kent's Choir, "you also got lessons in

musical history and the liturgy. He looks at music and he gets it, then he teaches it. You don’t get

that link very often." Mr. Kent is a man of deep faith who has spent his life serving the Lord and

making a positive difference in the life of countless people. The Reverend Sunil Chandy, the

Christ Church rector, said of Mr. Kent, "He may be our music director, but he's really more like a

priest. God is working through George……He is a beautiful example of Christian witness"; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors Mr. George

Kent for his sixty-five years of devoted and faithful service to Christ Church in Westerly, 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 Mr. George Kent.

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