2026 -- H 8288

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LC006090

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

JAMES M. DONELAN, ESQ.

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Hopkins, McNamara,
Chippendale, Solomon, Shanley, Kennedy, Tanzi, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq., of Warwick. He was the beloved husband of Akane Shirai;

and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan was born in Warwick, the son of the late George and Viorine

Donelan. He was a graduate of Pilgrim High School, and the University of Rhode Island. He then

attended and graduated from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan operated his own law practice in Warwick for many years,

always offering his clients wise counsel and serving them with passion and abiding integrity; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan also had a very successful public service career. He served the

people living in the north end of Warwick with distinction representing the 15th District of the

Rhode Island State Senate for fourteen years, from his election in 1990 to December 31, 2002. As

a State Senator, he served as a distinguished member of the Judiciary and Labor Committees, and

wrote and sponsored Rhode Island's Good Driving Statute, allowing drivers with a clean record

for three years to have a new, minor moving violation dismissed; and

     WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Donelan was a passionate boater who greatly enjoyed

his trips to Newport and Block Island for the annual Fourth of July celebration, usually

accompanied by one of his precious Golden Retrievers, KJ or Sushi. He and his wife, Akane,

shared a love of travel, especially cruising, and together they explored much of the world. Mr.

Donelan was known and admired for his generosity and integrity, and he was deeply respected by

the countless people and organizations he supported throughout his life; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Akane, Mr. Donelan leaves behind his sister, Carol

Paquette, and his stepson, Kent Shirai; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Honorable James M. Donelan,

Esq.; 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 the family of the Honorable James M. Donelan,

Esq.

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LC006090

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