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H8628
2026 -- H 8628
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LC006455
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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
HONORING AND THANKING SPEAKER K. JOSEPH SHEKARCHI FOR HIS
EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE STATE OF RHODE
ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representatives Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Cotter, Hull,
Corvese, J. Lombardi, Fogarty, Shallcross Smith, and Ajello
Date Introduced:
June 11, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The Honorable K. Joseph Shekarchi has distinguished himself through
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strong leadership, tireless advocacy, and a deep dedication to serving the people of Rhode Island
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throughout his tenure in the House of Representatives, including more than five years as Speaker
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of the House, after first being elected by his colleagues in January 2021 and subsequently re-
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elected in 2023 and 2025; and
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WHEREAS, Speaker Shekarchi served as House Majority Leader from November 2016
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through 2020, previously chaired the House Labor Committee, and has proudly represented
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District 23 in the City of Warwick since first being elected to the House of Representatives in
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November of 2012; and
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WHEREAS, Addressing Rhode Island’s housing crisis was a cornerstone of Speaker
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Shekarchi’s legislative agenda, as he led passage of more than 60 housing-related laws and
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transformative initiatives that created the State’s first dedicated funding stream for affordable
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housing, established Rhode Island’s first Department of Housing led by a cabinet-level secretary,
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prohibited housing discrimination against recipients of rental assistance, and secured historic
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investments to combat homelessness and expand affordable housing opportunities, including
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voter approval of a $120 million housing bond in 2024; and
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WHEREAS, Speaker Shekarchi was a tireless advocate for accessible and equitable
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healthcare, championing legislation and budget initiatives that strengthened Rhode Island’s
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healthcare system through increased support for primary care providers, hospitals, and nursing
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homes, while also advancing landmark protections for reproductive freedom, healthcare privacy,
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and access to abortion care, including passage of the Health Care Provider Shield Act, the
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Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, and the Reproductive Privacy Act; and
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WHEREAS, Under Speaker Shekarchi’s leadership, the General Assembly enacted
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significant economic and tax reforms, including elimination of the tangible tax for most small
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businesses, acceleration of the car tax phase-out, investments in life sciences and wet lab
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incubators, and reforms to Rhode Island’s banking tax structure designed to protect jobs and
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maintain competitiveness; and
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WHEREAS, Speaker Shekarchi supported economic development initiatives that created
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thousands of private-sector jobs and helped secure a $250 million economic development
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agreement protecting more than 1,100 Rhode Island jobs and one of the state’s largest revenue
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sources; and
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WHEREAS, A strong advocate for working families, Speaker Shekarchi championed
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landmark pay equity legislation prohibiting wage discrimination while also supporting legislation
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raising wages and establishing safe staffing levels in nursing homes; and
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WHEREAS, Speaker Shekarchi also strengthened educational opportunity by helping
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make the Rhode Island Promise program permanent and supporting expanded affordable higher
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education opportunities for Rhode Island students and families; and
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WHEREAS, He further demonstrated his commitment to Rhode Island’s future through
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leadership on renewable energy initiatives and passage of the landmark Act on Climate, one of
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the most consequential environmental measures enacted in decades; and
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WHEREAS, Beyond his legislative service, Speaker Shekarchi graduated from Mount St.
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Charles Academy and Suffolk University, where he earned both his undergraduate and law
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degrees, and has enjoyed a successful legal career spanning more than thirty years, including
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service as Warwick Solicitor and longtime legal counsel to the Warwick Housing Authority; and
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WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Warwick, Speaker Shekarchi announced his
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resignation during his third term in order to seek nomination to the Rhode Island Supreme Court,
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concluding a historic chapter of public service marked by compassion, innovation, and dedication
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to the people of Rhode Island; 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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honors and thanks Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for his outstanding leadership, dedicated service,
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and countless contributions to the people of Rhode Island, and furthermore extends its deepest
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gratitude and best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors; 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 Honorable K. Joseph Shekarchi.
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