HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS

H7170

2026 -- H 7170
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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
EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS

Introduced By:
Representatives Blazejewski, and Chippendale

Date Introduced:
January 20, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
1
WHEREAS, It has been made known to the House that certain persons and organizations
2
are deserving of commendation; and
3
Paulette Carr, The Preservation Society of Newport County; the distinguished honor
4
being named the recipient of the Emerging Leader Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality
5
Association at the annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the
6
tourism sector;
7
Speaker Shekarchi
8
Natalia Miro, Beech Restaurant; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the
9
Food Service Employee Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual
10
ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
11
Speaker Shekarchi
12
Mike Santucci, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel; the distinguished honor being
13
named the recipient of the Lodging Employee Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality
14
Association at the annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the
15
tourism sector;
16
Speaker Shekarchi
17
Rosa Lopez, The Chanler at Cliff Walk; the distinguished honor being named the
18
recipient of the Tourism Employee Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the
19
annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
20
Speaker Shekarchi

1
Newport Mansions, The Preservation Society of Newport County; the distinguished
2
honor being named the recipient of the Instagram Account Award by the Rhode Island
3
Hospitality Association at the annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and
4
excellence in the tourism sector;
5
Speaker Shekarchi
6
JAYD BUN; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the Restaurant of the
7
Year Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual ANCHORS Award
8
ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
9
Speaker Shekarchi
10
Castle Hill Inn, Newport Restaurant Group; the distinguished honor being named the
11
recipient of the Hotel of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the
12
annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
13
Speaker Shekarchi
14
Track 15; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the People’s Choice
15
Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual ANCHORS Award ceremony
16
for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
17
Speaker Shekarchi
18
Joseph Caldarone, Iron Works Restaurant; the distinguished honor being named the
19
recipient of the Chef of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual
20
ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
21
Speaker Shekarchi
22
Juncal Mexican Grill & Bar; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the
23
Newcomer Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual ANCHORS Award
24
ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
25
Speaker Shekarchi
26
Brands of Portugal; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the Allied
27
Member Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual ANCHORS Award
28
ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
29
Speaker Shekarchi
30
Hope & Main; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the Arthur Robbins
31
Community Service Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual
32
ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
33
Speaker Shekarchi
34
Jonathan Walker, Executive Director, RI Sports Commission, Providence Warwick

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Convention & Visitors Bureau; the distinguished honor being named the recipient of the
2
Hospitality Champion Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual
3
ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
4
Speaker Shekarchi
5
The Trolls, South County Tourism Council; the distinguished honor being named the
6
recipient of the Must-See Attraction Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the
7
annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
8
Speaker Shekarchi
9
Chef Matthew Reilly, Newport Area Career and Technical Center; the distinguished
10
honor being named the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award by the Rhode Island
11
Hospitality Association at the annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and
12
excellence in the tourism sector;
13
Speaker Shekarchi
14
Ella Murphy, Chariho Area & Technical Center; the distinguished honor being named the
15
recipient of the Student of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the
16
annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
17
Speaker Shekarchi
18
Gregg’s Restaurants & Taverns Legacy Employees; the distinguished honor being named
19
the recipient of the President’s Award by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association at the annual
20
ANCHORS Award ceremony for your dedication and excellence in the tourism sector;
21
Speaker Shekarchi
22
Kristen Adamo, President and CEO, Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors
23
Bureau; being honored at the Rhode Island Hospitality Association Annual ANCHORS Awards
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ceremony for being the Chairperson of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association for your
25
dedication and excellence to the tourism sector;
26
Speaker Shekarchi
27
Dr. Rosemary Costigan, President, Community College of Rhode Island; being honored
28
at the Rhode Island Hospitality Association Annual ANCHORS Award ceremony for being the
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Chairperson of the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation for your dedication and
30
excellence to the tourism sector;
31
Speaker Shekarchi
32
Ben Murro; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished honor of
33
attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing on core
34
Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;

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Representative Paplauskas
2
Walker Shapiro; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished
3
honor of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing
4
on core Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
5
Representative Paplauskas
6
Madelyn Fearon; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished
7
honor of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing
8
on core Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
9
Representative Paplauskas
10
Joseph Johnson; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished
11
honor of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing
12
on core Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
13
Representative Paplauskas
14
Zackary LeBlanc; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished
15
honor of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing
16
on core Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
17
Representative Paplauskas
18
Jonah Lopez; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished honor
19
of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing on core
20
Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
21
Representative Paplauskas
22
Giovanni Marzilli; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished
23
honor of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing
24
on core Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
25
Representative Paplauskas
26
Ryan Morgan; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished honor
27
of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing on core
28
Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
29
Representative Paplauskas
30
Jude Norberg; Scouting America, Pack 6, Narragansett Council; the distinguished honor
31
of attaining the Arrow of Light Rank in Scouting America’s Cub Scout Program focusing on core
32
Scouting values, Duty to God, Citizenship, Outdoor Skills and Safety;
33
Representative Paplauskas
34
James Parisi; your retirement after many years of dedication and faithful work on behalf

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1
of the Rhode Island Teachers and Health Professionals;
2
Representative Fellela
3
Richard Vega, Community College of Rhode Island; your outstanding performance
4
during the National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2025 Competition Season contributed to CCRI
5
ranking 29th nationally among over 8,520 students from 490 colleges and universities;
6
Representative Corvese
7
Fire Chief Michael DeMello, Bristol Fire Department; the outstanding achievement and
8
distinguished honor of being named as President of the Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Association;
9
Representatives Donovan and Speakman
10
Andy Russ; your dance theatre performance, SLEEPWALKER, at Wilbury Theatre
11
Group and contributions to the local arts scene for over 35 years;
12
Representative Morales
13
Ms. Stephanie Bannon, Barrington Middle School, grades 7/8; Excellence in Teaching
14
and Inspiring Students for the Annual Soul Force ART Contest celebrating Civil Rights;
15
Representatives Boylan and Knight
16
Ms. Christine Giampietro, Nayatt School, grade 1; Excellence in Teaching and Inspiring
17
Students for the Annual Soul Force ART Contest celebrating Civil Rights;
18
Representatives Boylan and Knight
19
Ms. Rebecca Silva, Sowams School, Kindergarten; Excellence in Teaching and Inspiring
20
Students for the Annual Soul Force ART Contest celebrating Civil Rights;
21
Representatives Boylan and Knight
22
Ms. Abigail Lippe, Primrose School, grade 3; Excellence in Teaching and Inspiring
23
Students for the Annual Soul Force ART Contest celebrating Civil Rights;
24
Representatives Boylan and Knight
25
Ms. Melissa Bento, Barrington Middle School, grade 7; Excellence in Teaching and
26
Inspiring Students for the Annual Soul Force ART Contest celebrating Civil Rights;
27
Representatives Boylan and Knight
28
Ms. Maribeth Promades, Sowams School, grade 2; Excellence in Teaching and Inspiring
29
Students for the Annual Soul Force ART Contest celebrating Civil Rights;
30
Representatives Boylan and Knight
31
Gabriel Nahod, Community College of Rhode Island; your outstanding performance
32
during the National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2025 Competition Season contributed to CCRI
33
ranking 29th nationally among over 8,520 students and 490 colleges and universities;
34
Representative Bennett

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Paul Lussier, Cercle Laurier; the distinguished honor of being elected to the position of
2
Incoming President of the Cercle Laurier;
3
Representatives Phillips, Casey and Brien
4
Jason Nichols, Cercle Laurier; the distinguished honor of being elected to the position of
5
Incoming Vice President of the Cercle Laurier;
6
Representatives Phillips, Casey and Brien
7
Jon Lanctot, Cercle Laurier; the distinguished honor of being elected to the position of
8
Incoming Financial Secretary of the Cercle Laurier;
9
Representatives Phillips, Casey and Brien
10
Roger “Slim” Lambert, Cercle Laurier; the distinguished honor of being elected to the
11
position of Treasure of the Cercle Laurier;
12
Representatives Phillips, Casey and Brien
13
Mike Richer, Cercle Laurier; the distinguished honor of being elected to the position of
14
Incoming Recording Secretary of the Cercle Laurier;
15
Representatives Phillips, Casey and Brien
16
Captain Eric DiRosario, Cumberland Fire Department; your outstanding courage and
17
bravery providing the people of the Town of Cumberland, Rhode Island with exceptional public
18
safety;
19
Representative Ackerman
20
Carmen Cadotte; the distinguished honor of receiving the “Barbara Colt Perseverance”
21
Award from the RI Womxn Project;
22
Representative Morales
23
Kirk Loiselle, Director, Scituate Department of Public Works; your retirement after many
24
years of dedicated, faithful and distinguished service to the people of the town of Scituate as the
25
Director Public Works;
26
Representative Quattrocchi
27
Camilo Tamup, Mayor of Chinique, Quiché; congratulations on all your hard work on
28
behalf of the State of Rhode Island;
29
Representative Sanchez
30
Centenario Convite-14 de Enero; congratulations on all your hard work on behalf of the
31
State of Rhode Island;
32
Representative Sanchez
33
Bruce Messier; the distinguished honor of being named President of the Board Directors
34
of the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket;

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Representative Messier
2
Nicholas Sanzi; the outstanding academic achievement and distinguished honor of being
3
a recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship for the Class of 2026;
4
Representative Caldwell
5
Tori Hong; congratulations on the opening of your art installation, “For the Time Beings”
6
at OPEN in Providence;
7
Representative Morales
8
Jose Carlos Pastrana Díaz, Cuba Barber Shop; congratulations on all your hard work on
9
behalf of the State of Rhode Island;
10
Representative Sanchez
11
Big Feeling Ice Cream; congratulations on celebrating one year of serving ice cream and
12
treats to our Providence neighbors;
13
Representative Morales
14
Thomas Mears, East Greenwich Fire Department; your retirement after many years of
15
dedicated, faithful and distinguished service protecting the life and property for the people of East
16
Greenwich as a member of the East Greenwich Fire Department;
17
Representative Shanley
18
Damian Raposa, Community College of Rhode Island; the distinguished honor and
19
outstanding performance competing in the National Cyber League Fall 2025 Competition Season
20
and completing real-world cybersecurity tasks that professionals perform daily;
21
Speaker Shekarchi
22
Wade Chmielinski; the distinguished honor and outstanding performance during the
23
National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2025 Competition Season contributed to CCRI ranking 29th
24
nationally among over 8,520 students and 490 colleges and universities;
25
Representative Newberry
26
Freeway Car Wash; celebrating the Grand Opening of Freeway Car Wash at 801
27
Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island;
28
Representative Paplauskas
29
Pam Kelley, Point Association, Newport, Rhode Island; your countless hours writing its
30
By-Laws; serving on its Board; and authoring the Points of Interest newsletter, thereby preserving
31
in its members involvement, and concern for, this historic community;
32
Representative Carson
33
The Hopkinton Regional Community Center; the opening of the community learning
34
center in conjunction with Learn365RI as an investment in education while establishing a public

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space for workforce development, community meetings, senior activities & recreation;
2
Representative Kennedy
3
John Megrdichian, State of Rhode Island; your retirement after many years of dedicated
4
and faithful service to the people of the State of Rhode Island as Assistant Director of Financial
5
and Contract Management for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation;
6
Speaker Shekarchi
7
Ethan Hoag, Boys Scouts of America; the distinction and honor of attaining the rank of
8
Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America for your commitment and dedication to the values of
9
Scouting, Citizenship, Character and Fitness;
10
Representative Carson
11
Mike King, Hendricken High School Class of 2013; the privilege and honor of Bishop
12
Hendricken High School retiring your #14 Baseball Jersey on January 12, 2026;
13
Representative Soloman
14
Robert J. Nero, Chairman, Pawtuxet River Authority; your many years of dedication and
15
commitment to preservation of the environment and quality of life for the people of the State of
16
Rhode Island;
17
Representative Paplauskas
18
Kiley Lynch and Gloria Solis; celebrating the joyous and momentous occasion of your
19
Wedding Engagement in December 2025;
20
Representative Corvese
21
Cameron Lynch and Maria Zapata; celebrating the joyous and momentous occasion of
22
your Wedding Engagement in December 2025;
23
Representative Corvese
24
Head Coach Michael Washington, Central High School Football; your outstanding
25
athletic achievement of winning the 2025 Rhode Island Division 1 Football Super Bowl
26
Championship;
27
Representative Sanchez
28
Marty Gaughan, Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy; the outstanding achievement
29
and distinguished honor of your graduation from the 145th Class of the Rhode Island Municipal
30
Police Academy on December 19, 2025;
31
Representative Shallcross Smith
32
Robert J. Annis, Boy Scout Troop 6, Bristol; the distinction and honor of attaining the
33
rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America for your commitment and dedication to the
34
values of Scouting, Citizenship, Character and Fitness;

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Representative Donovan
2
Capeverdean American Community Development, Pawtucket; receiving the Grant Award
3
from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-
4
approved State Cultural Grant Program;
5
Speaker Shekarchi
6
The Sandra Feimstein-Gamm Theatre, Warwick; receiving the Grant Award from the
7
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved
8
State Cultural Grant Program;
9
Speaker Shekarchi
10
Linden Place, Bristol; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State Council on
11
the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural Grant Program;
12
Speaker Shekarchi
13
Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island, Providence; receiving the Grant Award from
14
the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-
15
approved State Cultural Grant Program;
16
Speaker Shekarchi
17
Newport Art Museum, Newport; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State
18
Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural
19
Grant Program;
20
Speaker Shekarchi
21
Preserve RI for the Lippitt House Museum, Providence; receiving the Grant Award from
22
the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-
23
approved State Cultural Grant Program;
24
Speaker Shekarchi
25
South County Art Association, Kingston; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode
26
Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State
27
Cultural Grant Program;
28
Speaker Shekarchi
29
Newport Historical Society, Newport; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island
30
State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State
31
Cultural Grant Program;
32
Speaker Shekarchi
33
DownCity Design, Providence; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State
34
Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural

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Grant Program;
2
Speaker Shekarchi
3
La Farge Restoration Fund at Newport Congregational Church, Newport; receiving the
4
Grant Award from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements
5
through the voter-approved State Cultural Grant Program;
6
Speaker Shekarchi
7
The Greenwich Odeum, East Greenwich; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode
8
Island State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State
9
Cultural Grant Program;
10
Speaker Shekarchi
11
The Granite Theatre, Westerly; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State
12
Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural
13
Grant Program;
14
Speaker Shekarchi
15
Oasis International, Providence; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State
16
Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural
17
Grant Program;
18
Speaker Shekarchi
19
Riverzedge Arts Project, Woonsocket; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island
20
State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State
21
Cultural Grant Program;
22
Speaker Shekarchi
23
Newport Classical, Newport; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State
24
Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural
25
Grant Program;
26
Speaker Shekarchi
27
Artist’ Exchange, Cranston; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island State
28
Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State Cultural
29
Grant Program;
30
Speaker Shekarchi
31
South County Museum, Narragansett; receiving the Grant Award from the Rhode Island
32
State Council on the Arts to make capital improvements through the voter-approved State
33
Cultural Grant Program;
34
Speaker Shekarchi

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Ann Barbieri; the joyous and momentous occasion of celebrating a Happy 80th Birthday
2
on December 30, 2025;
3
Representative Lima
4
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
5
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hereby extends to the aforesaid persons
6
and organizations its very best wishes on this memorable occasion and expresses the hope for
7
continued good fortune; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is respectfully requested to
9
transmit a properly inscribed citation to each of the aforesaid.
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