2024 -- H 8090

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LC005715

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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 JUDGE MELISSA R. DUBOSE'S HISTORIC CONFIRMATION TO

THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Kislak, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Speakman, Knight,
Chippendale, Fogarty, Biah, McNamara, and Potter

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The historic nomination of Judge Melissa R. DuBose, the first woman of

color and first LGBTQ+ person, was approved by the full United States Senate to serve on the

United States District Court in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, A lifelong Rhode Islander, Judge DuBose grew up in the City of

Providence’s Mount Hope section and attended Providence College. She taught history and civics

in the Providence public schools for almost ten years, and earned her law degree in 2004, taking

classes at night at Roger Williams University School of Law. From 2005 to 2008, she was

employed in the criminal division of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office; and

     WHEREAS, Judge Dubose subsequently served as senior legal counsel at Schneider

Electric in Foxboro where she provided in-house counsel, and in 2018, she was nominated to the

State District Court by then-Governor Gina Raimondo; and

     WHEREAS, Highly regarded throughout the Rhode Island legal community, Judge

DuBose has been hailed by her peers as an exceptional jurist, with impeccable ethics and a stellar

record, who is "supremely qualified" and well regarded in the community; and

     WHEREAS, On January 1, 2025, Judge Dubose will fill the seat being vacated by U.S.

District Court Judge William E. Smith, and will begin hearing civil, criminal and maritime

matters on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Judge DuBose will bring much needed ethnic diversity to the bench, which

in turn will improve judicial decision-making and inspire public confidence in the courts by

supplying a different perspective, restricting biases, and by providing a more realistic and genuine

reflection of American society; and

     WHEREAS, Judge Melissa DuBose is eminently deserving of the leadership and trust

she has been afforded. Her dedication to public service and unwavering determination, work ethic

and brilliant legal mind have earned her resounding praise and she has wholly distinguished

herself as a person worthy of our recognition and admiration; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates Judge Melissa R. Dubose on her historic confirmation to the United States District

Court in Rhode Island, and extends best wishes for her continued success, health and fulfillment;

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 Melissa DuBose.

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LC005715

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