HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. WILLIAM R. HOLLAND

H7063

2026 -- H 7063
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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 DR. WILLIAM R. HOLLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McEntee, Chippendale,
Fogarty, Ajello, Solomon, Boylan, Tanzi, and Slater

Date Introduced:
January 13, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sorrow that this House of Representatives has learned of the
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passing of Dr. William R. Holland, of South Kingstown. Dr. Holland was the son of the late
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William and Elizabeth Holland. He was the beloved husband of the late Karen Holland for 65
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years; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. William Holland attained a Bachelor's degree from the University of
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Rhode Island, a Master's degree from the University of Massachusetts, and a Doctorate in
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Educational Administration from Boston University. Dr. Holland was also a stellar athlete who
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was a starting forward on legendary Coach Ernie Calverly's URI Basketball team. Dr. Holland
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also met the love of his life at URI, his college sweetheart and future wife, Karen. Dr. Holland
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served our nation with honor and distinction as an officer in the United States Army; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Holland had a long and exemplary career as a public educator in Rhode
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Island and Massachusetts. He served with distinction and dedication for 26 years as a teacher,
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school administrator and superintendent in five different school districts in Rhode Island and
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Massachusetts. While serving as the superintendent of schools in Narragansett, Dr. Holland had
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the great honor of seeing both the elementary and high schools recognized as Blue Ribbon
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schools by the United States Department of Education; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Holland then proceeded to serve for 18 years as a Professor Emeritus at
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Rhode Island College, while simultaneously spending ten years as the Executive Director of the
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Rhode Island Association of School Principals before his appointment as the Commissioner of
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Higher Education by Governor Lincoln Almond; and

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WHEREAS, During his tenure as the Rhode Island Commissioner of Higher Education
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from 1999 to 2002, Dr. Holland oversaw a multi-million dollar state college budget. Under Dr.
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Holland's leadership, guidance and direction, much-needed upgrades, improvements and
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construction rapidly took place on all three college campuses. Important buildings and structures
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were built such as the Ryan Center, Boss Arena and new dormitories at URI, a new addition to
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the Warwick CCRI campus, the approval of a new CCRI campus in Newport, along with the
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construction of the Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts at Rhode Island College; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Holland received numerous honors throughout his distinguished
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professional career including the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Rhode Island House of
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Representatives, and Excellence in Professional Service awards from several New England and
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National Associations. Dr. Holland also served as the President of the New England Association
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of Schools and Colleges in 1985, and later served for 20 years as the Chair of NEASC overseas
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accreditation teams in 13 international schools in Europe; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Holland was also the author of five books and numerous professional
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articles. In his later years, he served as a consultant and Interim Superintendent in Central Falls
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and Warwick, where he led professional searches for new Superintendents in those communities.
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Dr. Holland also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at College Unbound in Providence;
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and
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WHEREAS, In addition to his late wife, Karen, Dr. Holland leaves behind his children,
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Kevin and his wife, Jennifer, Kathleen Meringolo and her husband, Richard, and Steven and his
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wife, Katherine, as well as his grandchildren, Kara Meringolo Lurio and her husband, Ben, Katie
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Meringolo Miller and her husband, Jack, Zack Holland and his wife, Dr. Alexis Holland, Maxx,
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Madison, Cameron, Braden, and Jade Holland. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren,
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Drew, Ellie, and James Lurio, and Owen and Frankie Miller. Dr. Holland also leaves behind his
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brothers, Peter Holland and Richard Holland; 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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expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. William R. Holland; 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 a duly certified copy of this resolution to the family of Dr. William R. Holland.
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