2024 -- H 8361

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LC006262

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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

HONORING REPRESENTATIVE CAMILLE F.J. VELLA-WILKINSON FOR HER SERVICE

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara, Bennett, Shanley,
Solomon, Ackerman, Kazarian, Azzinaro, and Chippendale

     Date Introduced: June 13, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson has served with honor and

distinction in the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the past eight years, earnestly

representing citizens in Warwick's District 21 neighborhoods; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Vella-Wilkinson makes her home in the City of Warwick

with her husband, Kenneth and together they have one son, Ian. She attained her Bachelor's

degree in English and psychology from Long Island University, her Master's degree in labor

relations from the University of Rhode Island, and a Juris Doctor degree from Roger Williams

University School of Law. She is self-employed as a work-readiness coach, is an alumna of the

URI Schmidt Labor Research Center and Leadership Rhode Island, graduated from the Eastern

Leadership Academy, and is a member of American Legion Post 43, Military Officers

Association of America and St. Benedict's Daughters of Isabella Circle 423; and

     WHEREAS, Previous to her years at the State House, Representative Vella-Wilkinson

gained invaluable knowledge and understanding of the needs of both her constituency and the

people of Rhode Island when she was elected and served three terms on the Warwick City

Council, with two terms as finance Chair. She was also a State Commissioner on the Rhode

Island Commission for Human Relations, and served as the City of Warwick Veterans liaison for

six years; and

     WHEREAS, Most currently, Representative Vella-Wilkinson is Chair of the House

Conduct Committee, and is a member of the House Finance Committee and Chairs its Public

Safety Subcommittee, and is a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee; and

     WHEREAS, Dedicated to her constituency and those under-served in our State,

Representative Vella-Wilkinson has sponsored and introduced a law that allows pharmacists to

prescribe birth control and a new law that provides health care coverage for laparoscopic removal

of uterine fibroids, a law to permit Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to hold

meetings during a declared disaster emergency, and legislation that created the Ocean State

Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund; and

     WHEREAS, A retired Navy Officer, Representative Vella-Wilkinson has a first-hand

understanding of the needs and sacrifices made by those men, women and military families who

serve this nation and has been a staunch and effective advocate on their behalf. She has sponsored

and supported legislation exempting military pensions from taxation and a Military Property Tax

Exemption bill, a bill that directs the Department of Education to utilize the federal Troops to

Teachers program, a resolution allocating $100,000 to the Veterans Services Officers Program, a

bill that extends property tax exemptions to veterans who served in uniform during the Cold War,

a law that extends veterans' benefits to gay or transgender members of the armed forces who

failed to receive honorable discharges, and began an annual veterans' outreach program at the

State House to name but a few of her many accomplishments; and

     WHEREAS, In gratitude and respect for Representative Vella-Wilkinson's support for

our country's armed forces, she was honored with the Legislator of the Year award from the

Disabled American Veterans, received the American Legion Post 43 Auxiliary Female Veteran of

the Year award, and also received the YMCA Woman of Achievement award; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Camille Vella-Wilkinson has brought wisdom and a

tremendous work ethic to the General Assembly during her years in office. Her service to the

citizens of Warwick and the State, has ultimately made Rhode Island a far better place to live and

flourish; now, therefore be it

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

honors and thanks Representative Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson for eight years of dedicated

service enriching the quality of life for all the citizens of Rhode Island. We moreover wish her the

very best health, happiness and success in all her future endeavors; 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 Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson.

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