2024 -- H 7077

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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

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF BROTHER MICHAEL

     REIS, FSC, LICSW, PH. D (H.C.), FOUNDER OF TIDES FAMILY SERVICES

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, McNamara, Chippendale, Shekarchi,
Blazejewski, Tanzi, Ajello, Boylan, Shallcross Smith, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Michael Reis, co-founder of Ocean Tides, founder of Tides Family Services, and lifelong

advocate for those in need; and

     WHEREAS, Born William Reis, Brother Michael grew up in the Rockaways in Queens,

New York, the son of the late John and Alvina Reis, and the brother of John Reis, Ronald Reis,

and the late Mary O'Donnell, AFSC, and her husband, John; and

     WHEREAS, Brother Michael was a graduate of Catholic University of America, where

he received his Bachelor's degree. Continuing his education, he attained a Master's degree in

Counseling Psychology from Manhattan College, a Master's in Social Work from Rhode Island

College, and a Doctor of Educational Leadership, honoris cuasa from Saint Mary's University;

and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Brother Michael believed in doing whatever it took

for as long as it took to help others which eventually led him to working with children and young

people "in the most distressed and poverty-stricken areas of Rhode Island"; and

     WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Brother Michael joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers

faculty as a math teacher, but soon thereafter, his calling to social work and particularly service to

the poor, brought him to the Lasallian Mission working initially at Lincoln Hall in New York, and

ultimately relocating to Rhode Island, where he worked as a Chaplain at the Adult Correctional

Institute; and

     WHEREAS, In 1974, Brother Michael co-founded Ocean Tides with the purpose "to

never give up on youth in the community" and served as the organization's first Chief Executive

Officer. In 1983, he founded Tides Family Services, where he spent the next thirty-five years as a

devoted champion for children, especially at-risk young people; and

     WHEREAS, Considered by many to be a visionary, Brother Michael "laid the foundation

for children's behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice programming" that is still

considered innovative and state-of-the-art today; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his work at Tides, Brother Michael was a registered lobbyist

for the RI NASW and had been active with numerous community organizations and boards

including the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, the Rhode Island Chapter of the NASW, the State of

Rhode Island: Sexual Offender Management Task Force, the Rhode Island Children's Policy

Coalition, the Parent Support Network, and The San Miguel School; and

     WHEREAS, Brother Michael's determination, unwavering dedication, and myriad

successes in improving the lives of "youth who were left behind by other institutions" had a

significant and positive impact on the lives of so many young people in our State and he will be

dearly missed; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Brother Michael Reis; 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 John Reis, Ronald Reis, and Tides Family

Services.

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