2024 -- H 7003

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DANIEL L. BEARDSLEY, JR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Corvese, Chippendale,
Kennedy, Edwards, Handy, Fellela, Tanzi, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: January 02, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

L. Beardsley, Jr., the devoted husband of Suzan Beardsley for fifty-three years, and past well-

repected Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Beardsley was a patriot who served our Nation with honor, valor and

courage during the Vietnam War. He was the point man for an infantry platoon in 1968 in the

First Air Cavalry Division. In honor of his heroic service taking part in numerous search and

destroy missions, Mr. Beardsley was awarded the Combat Infantry Man Badge, the Republic of

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Air Medal for participating in more than twenty-five air

combat assaults. He also received the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Vietnam

Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart

with Star of Wounds received in battle; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Beardsley was a graduate of Roger Williams University and attained a

Master's degree from the University of Rhode Island. For forty-two years, he was the Director of

the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns where he earned a reputation for his passionate and

tireless work, his abiding honesty and integrity, his vast knowledge of the issues being debated

within the halls of the Rhode Island State House, and the candidness with which he would discuss

issues with various legislators and members of the press; and

     WHEREAS, During his years of advocacy, Mr. Beardsley attained many legislative

successes. One of which that he was most proud of was the creation of the Rhode Island Energy

Aggregation Program or "REAP", an electricity purchasing collaborative that has saved cities,

towns, and their citizens, more than $72 million dollars since its creation in 1999; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Beardsley was appointed in 1985 to serve on the Rhode Island State

Labor Relations Board as the first local government representative, and on the Rhode Island State

Retirement Board for twenty-seven years. He was an instructor at Bryant University where he

taught public sector labor law, and was a past President and former coach of the Edgewood Girls

Softball League. He was also the co-founder and honorary President of the Foxhole Society, a

former gathering and social space in Providence where members would engage in late night

discussion about politics and other issues; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife Suzan, Mr. Beardsley leaves behind his daughters,

Joyce Stenovitch and her husband, Edward III, Robyn Sukkar and her husband, Loubnen, and his

grandchildren, Brittany and Edward Stenovitch IV, and Loubnen and Markus Sukkar. Mr.

Beardsley was a devoted family man who always placed his loved ones first in his life; now,

therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Daniel L. Beardsley, Jr.; 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 Mrs. Suzan Beardsley and Family.

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