HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE LAWRENCE FERGUSON

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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 CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE LAWRENCE
FERGUSON

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Donovan, Chippendale,
Speakman, Kennedy, Ackerman, Fellela, Ajello, and Diaz

Date Introduced:
January 08, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the
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Honorable Lawrence Ferguson, a devoted family man and distinguished public servant who
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served with distinction for sixteen years as a member of the Rhode Island House of
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Representatives from 1985 to 2000; and
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WHEREAS, Lawrence Ferguson was born in 1946 in Bangor, Maine, the son of the late
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Donald and Barbara Ferguson. He was the devoted husband of Francine Ferguson for 37 years
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and was predeceased by his first wife, Kathleen Ferguson; and
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WHEREAS, Larry Ferguson was raised in Portland, Maine, and was a graduate of the
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University of Southern Maine, as well as Rhode Island College, where he attained a Master’s
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degree in secondary education. Mr. Ferguson was passionate about education and was a beloved
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eighth-grade science teacher for 27 years at Barrington Middle School. Larry always went the
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extra mile for his students through his participation in numerous student enrichment programs.
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Larry trained with the G.L.O.B.E. program-an international network connecting schools and
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scientists. In addition, Larry advanced his studies at Brown University, the Massachusetts
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Institute of Technology, the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, and the
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Roger Williams Park Zoo, all in the pursuit of knowledge to bring back to his students in the
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classroom; and
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WHEREAS, Lawrence Ferguson was a devoted public servant who served the citizens of
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Rhode Island with energy and abiding integrity for more than twenty years. He served as the

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Executive Director of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, District Director for Congressman
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Patrick J. Kennedy, and was a member of Rhode Island House of Representatives (District 91) for
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16 years from 1985 to 2000, where he served with distinction as a Subcommittee Chair of the
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House Finance Committee, a member of the Rules Committee, and the House Committee on
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Health and Welfare, as well as serving as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans'
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Affairs; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ferguson also served with distinction as member of the Bristol Town
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Council, and as the Chairman of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee. Larry was a member
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of N.E.S.T. (Network of Educators in Science and Technology) at MIT, the National Education
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Association, the American Legion, AMVETS, the Italian American War Veterans, and the Rhode
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Island Democratic Party. Mr. Ferguson also served his nation with honor as a member of the
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United States Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant; and
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WHEREAS, Larry Ferguson was a man of great generosity and kindness who improved
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the lives of countless people. He was a loving husband, father and devoted family man. In his free
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time, he loved spending time with his family at the beach and travelling around Maine; and
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WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Francine, Larry Ferguson leaves behind his children
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Alyssa Ferguson, Colin Ferguson, and Jonathan Ferguson; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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sends its deepest condolences to the Ferguson Family; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Francine Ferguson, Alyssa Ferguson,
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Colin Ferguson, and Jonathan Ferguson.
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