2024 -- H 7006

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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

CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE CHARLES KNOWLES ON HIS RETIREMENT

AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

TO THE CITIZENS OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Place,
Kazarian, Ackerman, Edwards, Craven, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: January 04, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Charles Knowles was born in Providence. He graduated

from St. Andrews High School in 1967, and the University of Rhode Island in 1971, where he

was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army upon graduation. He

proceeded to serve in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 101st Airborne Division during the

Vietnam War, serving our nation with honor and distinction. In 1977, he received a law degree

from the New England School of Law; and

     WHEREAS, In 1974, Mr. Knowles joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard and

graduated from the active-duty Special Forces course at Fort Bragg in 1975. His distinguished

thirty-year military career included attaining the rank of full Colonel, graduating from the United

States Army War College, serving as the Brigade Commander of Troop Command (Special

Forces) and as the Commander of the 1021st Civil Affairs Group, and accomplishing 135 jumps

as a paratrooper; and

     WHEREAS, Charles Knowles has received numerous honors and commendations in

recognition of his meritorious military career including being awarded the Legion of Merit, the

Meritorious Service Medal with two clusters, the Rhode Island Star, the Master Parachutist Badge

and the Pathfinder Badge; and

     WHEREAS, Following his military career and graduation from law school, Charles

Knowles embarked on a successful and thriving legal practice. A pillar of the community in

Narragansett, Mr. Knowles' legal acumen was highly regarded within the community and his

legal services were sought after by many clients; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Knowles' life path eventually led to a career in public service that

would span more than forty years. He served as the Secretary of the Narragansett Democratic

Town Committee from 1982 to 1992, and on the Narragansett Zoning Board from 1982 to 1984,

and again from 1986 to 1990; and

     WHEREAS, In 1988, Charles Knowles was elected to serve in the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, a seat he would hold for eight years from 1989 to 1997, representing citizens

from Narragansett and South Kingstown. From his first days in the House, Mr. Knowles

impressed his colleagues and the leadership with his vast knowledge of legal and constitutional

issues, and his honesty, directness, preparedness, and forthrightness. Thanks to these attributes, he

was chosen by the leadership to serve as the Chairman of the powerful House Judiciary

Committee, a title he held for four years. Under his leadership and guidance, several significant

“landmark” pieces of legislation were passed, all of which redounded to the great benefit of the

people of Rhode Island, including Judicial Merit Selection, the “Anti-Revolving Door” law,

Constitutional reorganization of the Rhode Island State Legislature, and pension reform; and

     WHEREAS, For the last twenty-four years, Mr. Knowles has served as the Legal Counsel

to the House Corporations Committee where his wisdom and wise advice has been highly valued

by all members of the Committee, and his meticulous attention to detail, coordinating copious

bundles of legislation, and working long hours with immense aptitude and ability has been

indispensable. Mr. Knowles also served as the Legal Counsel for the Oversight and Veterans

Affairs Committees and has always worked diligently and forthrightly to serve the members of

the Rhode Island House, as well as the citizens of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Charles Knowles has always been actively involved in many Rhode Island

Civil and Charitable affairs, including serving as a member of the Rhode Island Bay Association,

Save the Bay, Common Cause, the ACLU, the American Legion, the NRA, the Civil War

Preservation Trust and a Founding sponsor of the National Museum of the United States Army.

He also coached Little League, South Country Youth Soccer, Narragansett Recreational League

Basketball and as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 2, as well as numerous other community

groups and associations; and

     WHEREAS, In his free time, Charles Knowles is a passionate Civil War historian and

lecturer, enthusiastic gardener, avid Red Sox fan, and entertaining writer and correspondent; and

     WHEREAS, Charles Knowles is the proud and beloved father to his children, Justin and

Jennifer, and the devoted husband to his wife, the Honorable Sandra Knowles, a former State

Representative from Foster; and

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     WHEREAS, Charles Knowles leaves not only very larges shoes to fill, but will leave an

indelible mark on the colleagues and legislators who have had the good fortune to work by his

side. By virtue of his numerous years of devoted service to the Rhode Island General Assembly

and the citizens of the Ocean State, he serves as an inspiration and a role model of conscientious

civic service and is eminently worthy of our recognition and praise; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates the Honorable Charles Knowles for his many years of honorable and distinguished

service to our State as a State Representative and Legal Counsel for the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, and for his thirty years of loyal and meritorious military service to our nation;

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 Charles Knowles.

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