SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE DAVID R. CARLIN, JR.

S2004

2026 -- S 2004
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE
DAVID R. CARLIN, JR.

Introduced By:
Senators Lawson, Felag, de la Cruz, Tikoian, Euer, Patalano, Quezada,
Gallo, Sosnowski, and DiPalma

Date Introduced:
January 08, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of the
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Honorable David R. Carlin, Jr., the esteemed former Majority Leader of the Rhode Island State
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Senate. He was the beloved husband of Maureen Carlin for more than 55 years; and
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WHEREAS, The Honorable David Carlin, Jr., was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in
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1938, the son of the late David and Marion Carlin. Mr. Carlin graduated from Saint Raphael
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Academy in Pawtucket in 1956, and then attended Providence College, where he graduated with
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honors in 1960. Mr. Carlin continued his education by obtaining master’s degrees in philosophy
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and sociology from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Carlin
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then began a distinguished career in education as a college professor at the Community College
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of Rhode Island, where he taught for more than 40 years until his retirement after his 80th
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birthday; and
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WHEREAS, David Carlin also had a long and admirable record of outstanding public
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service, beginning as a member of the Newport School Committee in 1975, a position he held
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until his election to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1980, where he represented with distinction
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the residents of Newport and, in later years, the residents of Jamestown and Middletown. Widely
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respected by his colleagues, Mr. Carlin was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Senate
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Majority Leader from 1988 to 1990. In 1992, David Carlin won his party’s nomination to be the
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Democratic candidate for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. David Carlin also served as
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the Chair of the Newport Democratic Party City Committee from 1999 to 2005, and was elected

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once again to serve on the Newport School Committee, from 2001 to 2009; and
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WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Carlin was a prolific author, having written seven
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books and many newspaper and magazine articles, and was the recipient of many writing awards.
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He also greatly enjoyed reading, maintained a personal library of thousands of books and enjoyed
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traveling with his wife, having visited 48 states and most of Europe. Mr. Carlin was also a man of
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deep Catholic faith, which guided him throughout all aspects of his life; and
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WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Maureen, David Carlin leaves behind his children,
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David R. Carlin, III, and his wife, Patricia, Joshua E. Carlin, and his wife, Kerri, and Margaret R.
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Carlin. Mr. Carlin is also survived by his grandchildren, Brigid, Luke, Daniel, and Mary Carlin,
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as well as his sister, Catherine M. Duffy, and his niece, Mary Catherine Rollinson. Mr. Carlin was
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predeceased by his parents, sister, Maureen Fitzgerald, and his brothers-in-law, Bruce Fitzgerald
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and Vincent Duffy; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest
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condolences to the Carlin Family on the passing of the Honorable David R. Carlin, Jr., and be it
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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 Mrs. Maureen Carlin and Family.
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