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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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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 ALAN SHAWN

FEINSTEIN, A LEGENDARY PHILANTHROPIST AND ENTREPRENEUR

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara, Chippendale,
Ackerman, Solomon, Fogarty, Tanzi, Shallcross Smith, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Feinstein, a champion for education and a renowned philanthropist. He was the beloved husband

of Pratarnporn (Chiemwichit) Feinstein, M.D. for sixty-one years, the devoted father of Leila

Feinstein and the late Richard and Ari Feinstein, and the very proud grandfather of Louis and

Arielle Feinstein, Chaya, Sakai and Desmond Forman; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Milton, Massachusetts, Mr. Feinstein was the son of Louis and

Lillian Feinstein. He grew up in Dorchester and was the brother of the late Joel Feinstein and

Sandra Gamm, and the uncle of several nieces and nephews. He graduated from Boston

University, where he studied economics and journalism, and later attended Boston Teachers'

College at night and taught elementary and junior high school in Massachusetts and Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, In the 1960s, the Feinstein's moved to Rhode Island, making their home in

the City of Cranston. In addition to writing various newsletters and booklets, a successful

financial guide, a news column, a novel and several children’s books, he began to build his

wealth through the selling of various collectibles; and

     WHEREAS, By the 1980s, Mr. Feinstein had become engrossed with the belief that “No

one should ever go hungry”, which led to his association with Brown University’s World Hunger

Program, a research and teaching center dedicated to studying the causes of and possible

solutions to hunger, which later moved to Tufts University. In 1991, he established the Feinstein

Foundation, which encouraged elementary through college students to do good deeds and help

those in need; and

     WHEREAS, By 2008, more than 125,000 children were recognized as Feinstein Junior

Scholars for promising to do good deeds for others, and since its inception in 1996, the annual

"Feinstein Challenge" has raised over $2.5 billion for local school students, programs, and

organizations supporting the campaign to fight hunger; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Feinstein was honored with myriad awards

including, the Distinguished Services Award from the American History Society, the Longfellow

Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross, was named Rhode Island Citizen of the Year

by the March of Dimes, was awarded the President's Medal at both Rhode Island College and

Brown University, and was named to the Rhode Island Hall of Fame. In addition, he has been

awarded numerous honorary doctorates, and has had several schools named in his honor

including the Feinstein High School in Providence, and most recently, the Alan Shawn Feinstein

Middle School in Coventry; and

     WHEREAS, There is no doubt that Alan Shawn Feinstein, a steadfast gentleman, earned

the unqualified admiration and respect of all who were privileged to have known him, and his

integrity and generosity enriched the lives of generations of Rhode Islanders, and set a standard

for excellence in altruistic service that is an inspiration to us all; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Alan Shawn Feinstein. May his

memory be a blessing; 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 Pratarnporn (Chiemwichit) Feinstein, M.D., and

Leila Feinstein and family.

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