10-R332

2010 -- H 8272

Enacted 06/09/10

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING MICHAEL D. CASSIDY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

Introduced By: Representatives Kilmartin, E Coderre, JP O`Neill, San Bento, and Messier

Date Introduced: June 09, 2010

     WHEREAS, Michael D. Cassidy, the Director of Planning and Redevelopment for the

City of Pawtucket, has dedicated the past forty years to revitalizing and developing the landscape

of the City of Pawtucket; and

     WHEREAS, The son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Cassidy, Sr., Mike is a graduate of St.

Raphael’s Academy. He continued his education at Boston College, attaining his degree in 1970,

and attended Leadership Rhode Island in 1989; and

      WHEREAS, The year 1970 was a turning point for Mike in many ways. He graduated

from college, started his job with the City of Pawtucket, and married his beautiful wife, Jane-

Ellen. The couple recently celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. They are the parents of

Sean and his wife, Rachael, Shannon and her husband, Sean, and Patrick and his wife, Terri.

They are also the doting grandparents of five grandchildren; and

      WHEREAS, During his tenure in Pawtucket’s city planning department, economic times

have often necessitated extreme techniques to accomplish goals. Mike has learned to beg,

borrow, or confiscate whatever is necessary to move a project along. His tenacity is legendary,

but the results for the City of Pawtucket have been monumental; and

     WHEREAS, Mike has overseen or been instrumental in creating a legislated Arts District

in Pawtucket, establishing the Historic Marker Program, developing of the Rhode Island

Children’s Museum, and producing of the Summer Pawtucket Riverfront Concerts and the

Pawtucket Arts Festival; and

     WHEREAS, Highly regarded among his peers, Mike has been honored by the Rhode

Island Public Expenditure Council and received the 3rd Annual Children's Hero Award from the

Pawtucket Day Nursery. He was also the recipient of the Rev. William Blackstone Award from

the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, and the Robert M. Goodrich Distinguished Public

Service Award; and

     WHEREAS, Mike has had widespread professional experience and his qualifications

have led to membership with numerous boards and committees, including the Blackstone Valley

National Heritage Corridor Commission, the Rhode Island Transportation Advisory Committee,

the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation

Annual Conferences; and

     WHEREAS, When Mike Cassidy retired on March 1st of 2010, he left a legacy of

commitment and perseverance that has literally changed the skyline of the City of Pawtucket.

He is truly an extraordinary man and he is enormously worthy of our emulation and

acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby joins the family, friends, and citizens of the City of Pawtucket and

the Blackstone Valley in recognizing and thanking Michael Cassidy on the occasion of his

retirement. We wish him numerous and enviable hours of fun with his grandchildren, a glorious

trip to Ireland with his wife, and days and days of some well deserved rest and relaxation; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Michael D. Cassidy.

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LC02938

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