2024 -- S 2032

========

LC003279

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MILDRED G. MORRIS

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Lauria, Britto, F. Lombardi, Sosnowski, Zurier,
LaMountain, and Burke

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Mildred

G. Morris. A lifelong East Providence resident, Ms. Morris was the daughter of the late Manuel

Leonora Sousa; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Morris, a 1952 graduate of East Providence High School, was a

hardworking woman who daily strove to provide for her children and loved ones. She worked for

thirty-two years as a school secretary in East Providence, first at the former Central Junior High

and later at East Providence High School. She was known for looking out for the schoolchildren

and half-jokingly telling them, "I know your parents, you better not be late for class and you

better come to school every day!" It seemed as if Ms. Morris knew everyone in East Providence;

and

     WHEREAS, To the good fortune of the citizens of East Providence, Ms. Morris chose to

run for the East Providence School Committee, and was elected in 1996. During her 12-year

tenure, she was one of the highest vote-getters in East Providence. Thanks to a tireless work ethic

and the high regard her fellow school committee colleagues had for her, she was selected to serve

as Committee Clerk, Vice Chairperson, and Board Chairperson; and

     WHEREAS, After retiring from elected office, Ms. Morris continued to engage in civil

affairs, serving on the Crescent Park Carousel Commission, the Friends of Townies Athletic

Organization, the East Providence High School Hall of Fame, of which she is a member, and the

East Providence Juvenile Hearing Board. She was a longtime supporter and advocate of East

Providence student athletes, and was given the high honor of having her portrait hung in East

Providence City Hall, thanks to a vote by the public; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Morris was active her entire life in City and State Democratic Party

activities. She was a close friend of Senator Pell and someone he frequently sought out for advice.

In 2015, she was honored with an event attended by both local and national elected officials; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Morris leaves behind her daughters, Lianne Bartlett, Paula Totten and

her husband, Bill, and Pamela Santos and her husband, Jeff. She was the doting grandmother of

six grandchildren, Ryan, Neil and Alec Totten, Kayla and Matthew Santos, and Jason Bartlett,

and also leaves behind her sister, Carolyn Chadsey, and was the sister of the late John "Jack"

Sousa; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest

condolences on the passing of Mildred G. Morris; 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 Lianne Bartlett, Paula Totten and Pamela

Santos.

========

LC003279

========

LC003279 - Page 2 of 2