2024 -- S 3163

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LC006278

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING SENATOR ROGER A. PICARD FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Gallo, Pearson, Felag, F. Lombardi, Gu, E Morgan,
Britto, Lawson, and de la Cruz

     Date Introduced: June 13, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, In April of 2008, Senator Roger A. Picard was elected to the Rhode Island

Senate in a special election, representing the citizens of Woonsocket and Cumberland in what is

now, District 20, and has since been reelected by his constituency seven times. He had previously

served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1993 until 2008; and

     WHEREAS, Widely respected by his peers, Senator Picard was named Senate Deputy

President Pro Tempore in 2021, and is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing &

Municipal Government, is Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, and is a member

of the Senate Committee on Labor; and

     WHEREAS, With a broad knowledge of both the legislative process and a vast

understanding of myriad issues, Senator Picard has sponsored and championed numerous bills

throughout his years in the Senate including, legislation amending the Hospital Conversion Act,

several bills to boost small businesses, legislation aimed at assisting truck drivers and

streamlining the commercial driver's license process, and a bill significantly lowering the

manufacturing and wholesale licensing fee for alcohol manufacturers; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Senator Picard has lent his expertise to the areas of education

and the environment with legislation allowing school districts to conduct virtual instruction

during inclement weather and emergencies, a bill that allows students to make up lost school days

through at-home learning, a resolution seeking a statewide ballot vote on a constitutional

amendment to guarantee “an equitable, adequate and meaningful education to each child", a law

authorizing an alternative treatment for opioid addiction, and a law requiring the creation of

pathways and workforce training programs in the clean-energy sector as part of the Senate's Grow

Green Jobs RI initiative; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Picard has earned not only the trust of his constituency but was also

honored by Rhode Island AARP with its 2016 Capitol Caregivers award, recognizing his

sponsorship of a law that allows single-family homeowners to construct or use accessory

dwellings to care for older family members; and

     WHEREAS, A consummate gentleman, Senator Picard could always be counted on for

his warm smile, the sincerity or his convictions, and his sharp dress, including a boutonniere on

his lapel each Thursday; and

     WHEREAS, Making his home in the City of Woonsocket, Senator Picard is the husband

of Diane Picard and the father of three children, Nicole, Kristen and Caitlyn. He earned his

Bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island, a Master’s degree in Social Work from

Rhode Island College, and a Master’s degree in theological studies from Providence College. In

addition to his long hours at the State House, he works as a social worker for the Woonsocket

School Department; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Picard serves as a model of dedicated and conscientious civic

service and has earned the respect and the gratitude of the citizens in his community and the

people of this State for making Rhode Island a better place to live and grow; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors and thanks

Senator Roger A. Picard for his service to the people of this State and wishes him good health,

fulfillment, and continued success in all his 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 Roger Picard.

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LC006278

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