2012 -- H 7210

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LC00430

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING MATTHEW GOYETTE FOR HIS VOLUNTEER WORK ON THE

BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR

     Introduced By: Representatives Brien, Baldelli-Hunt, and Phillips

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor stretches over

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350,000 acres in central Massachusetts and central Rhode Island, from Worcester to Providence,

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and its valley is recognized as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the United States; and

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     WHEREAS, Matthew Goyette has exhibited outstanding devotion to the Blackstone

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River Valley National Heritage Corridor through exemplary volunteer work; and

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     WHEREAS, Matthew has been a model of commitment and service, spending countless

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hours over the last ten years to make the Corridor more accessible to all; and

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     WHEREAS, Inspired by a disabled aunt, Matthew has enhanced the experience of vision-

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and hearing-impaired visitors to the Corridor. He conducts tours using American Sign Language

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and has utilized a brailer, given to him by his aunt, to create impressive braille translations of

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informational plaques along the parks and paths; and

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     WHEREAS, An autodidact, Matthew’s deep knowledge of the Blackstone River Valley

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National Heritage Corridor is largely self-taught, an impressive feat for a person determined not

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to be defined by a traumatic brain injury and several years of rehabilitation, who went on to

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graduate near the top of his class at the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center; and

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     WHEREAS, Matthew’s giving nature and desire to help others can be seen throughout

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Woonsocket, where he coaches at the Special Olympics and volunteers at an animal shelter, while

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being ever vigilant to help those in need, having been trained in C.P.R., First Aid, and A.E.D.;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Matthew’s considerable charitable work has touched many lives and has

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enriched the lives of the residents and visitors to the Blackstone Valley; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby honors Matthew Goyette, an exceptional man who is truly

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deserving of the gratitude of the people of Rhode Island; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Matthew Goyette.

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LC00430

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