SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JAMES M. DONELAN, ESQ.

S3069

2026 -- S 3069
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LC006087
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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
JAMES M. DONELAN, ESQ.

Introduced By:
Senators LaMountain, Britto, Murray, Appollonio, Felag, Burke, Rogers,
McKenney, Vargas, and Acosta

Date Introduced:
March 12, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of the
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Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq., of Warwick. He was the beloved husband of Akane Shirai;
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and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan was born in Warwick, the son of the late George and Viorine
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Donelan. He was a graduate of Pilgrim High School, and the University of Rhode Island. He then
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attended and graduated from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan operated his own law practice in Warwick for many years,
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always offering his clients wise counsel and serving them with passion and abiding integrity; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan also had a very successful public service career. He served the
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people living in the north end of Warwick with distinction representing the 15th District of the
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Rhode Island State Senate for fourteen years, from his election in 1990 to December 31, 2002. As
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a State Senator, he served as a distinguished member of the Judiciary and Labor Committees, and
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wrote and sponsored Rhode Island's Good Driving Statute, allowing drivers with a clean record
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for three years to have a new, minor moving violation dismissed; and
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WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Donelan was a passionate boater who greatly enjoyed
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his trips to Newport and Block Island for the annual Fourth of July celebration, usually
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accompanied by one of his precious Golden Retrievers, KJ or Sushi. He and his wife, Akane,
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shared a love of travel, especially cruising, and together they explored much of the world. Mr.
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Donelan was known and admired for his generosity and integrity, and he was deeply respected by

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the countless people and organizations he supported throughout his life; and
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WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Akane, Mr. Donelan leaves behind his sister, Carol
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Paquette, and his stepson, Kent Shirai; 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 family and friends of the Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq.; 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 the family of the Honorable James M. Donelan,
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Esq.
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