SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE SENATE PRESIDENT DOMINICK J. RUGGERIO AND COMMEMORATING THE NAMING OF THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE CHAMBER IN HIS HONOR

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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
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE SENATE PRESIDENT DOMINICK J.
RUGGERIO AND COMMEMORATING THE NAMING OF THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE
CHAMBER IN HIS HONOR

Introduced By:
Senators Lawson, Ciccone, Tikoian, Gallo, Bissaillon, Sosnowski,
Murray, DiPalma, LaMountain, and Burke

Date Introduced:
March 19, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, The Honorable Dominick J. Ruggerio, affectionately known to many as
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“Donny,” devoted more than four decades of his life to public service in the State of Rhode Island
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and leaves behind a legacy of leadership, dedication, and commitment to the people he served;
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and
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WHEREAS, Born and raised in North Providence, he was the son of Mario “Charlie”
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Ruggerio and Dorothy (Prush) Ruggerio, and from an early age embraced the values of hard
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work, loyalty, and community; and
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WHEREAS, A graduate of La Salle Academy and Providence College, he began his
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career as an aide to Lieutenant Governor Thomas DiLuglio, later working for the Rhode Island
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Public Transit Authority before taking over his family’s restaurant, The Chalet, in North
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Providence. Donny soon returned to his labor roots, joining the Laborers’ International Union 271
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as a Field Representative and Organizer, eventually becoming Administrator of the New England
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Laborers’ Labor-Management Cooperation Trust; and
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WHEREAS, His career in public service began in the Rhode Island House of
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Representatives in 1980, and in 1984 he was elected to the Rhode Island Senate representing
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District 4, beginning a forty-year tenure during which he became the longest-serving member of
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the Senate and earned the affectionate title of “Dean” of the Senate; and
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WHEREAS, During his distinguished legislative career, he served as vice chairman of
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the Senate Labor Committee, Senate Majority Whip, Deputy Majority Leader, Majority Leader,

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and in 2017 was elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the Senate; and
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WHEREAS, As Senate President, he led with an open-door policy and a deep respect for
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the institution, working tirelessly on behalf of working families, supporting economic
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development, advancing educational opportunity, protecting employee pensions, raising the
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state’s minimum wage, and promoting environmental stewardship and animal welfare; and
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WHEREAS, Donny was caring and generous beyond measure, and was widely respected
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for his steady leadership, institutional knowledge, willingness to listen, and ability to bring people
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together through public service. A true statesman, he listened to every point of view and
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respected every individual, regardless of whether they held a differing viewpoint. He worked
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consistently to find common ground among his peers, even on the most challenging and
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contentious issues. As a valued mentor to countless colleagues, and a consistent champion for his
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constituents, he set an example for all public servants; and
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WHEREAS, In his personal life, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who
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cherished spending time with his family, including his children, Charles Ruggerio and his wife,
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Jillian, and Amanda Fallon and her husband, PJ; his four beloved grandchildren, Ava Ruggerio,
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Mia Ruggerio, Natalie Fallon, and Jameson Fallon; his sister and his best friend, Lisa Aceto, and
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her husband, James; and his nieces and nephew, Christine DeSimone, Justine Mello, and Anthony
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Aceto. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Charles “Chucky” Ruggerio; and
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WHEREAS, Donny deeply treasured time spent gathered with family for home-cooked
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meals on Sundays and holidays, and he enjoyed annual trips to the Saratoga Race Course and
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beating odds makers of all types; and
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WHEREAS, His passing marks the loss of a dedicated public servant, a trusted colleague,
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and a friend to many within this Chamber and across the state; and
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WHEREAS, In recognition of his extraordinary service and enduring impact upon the
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Rhode Island Senate, the Senate Chamber shall be named in his honor as a lasting tribute to his
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leadership and devotion to the people of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors the life,
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service, and memory of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the members of the Senate express their deepest sympathy to his
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family and loved ones; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the naming of the Rhode Island Senate Chamber in his honor shall
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serve as a permanent tribute to a man whose life was defined by public service, leadership, and
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commitment to the State of Rhode Island; 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 his family.
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