2014 -- H 7640

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

APPLAUDING THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF EDWARD CATONI AND RONALD JENNINGS

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Diaz, and Fox

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Many people go through their lives without any personal contact with a

potential life and death situation, without that defining moment that turns an ordinary person into

a hero. Edward Catoni and Ronald Jennings faced such a challenge, and in that moment of crisis,

without hesitation, they did the extraordinary and saved the life of a twenty-five year old man;

and

     WHEREAS, Being homeless, tired, and robbed multiple times, had left the young man

with crushing hopelessness. And as his mother tried desperately to catch up with him, while

simultaneously dialing 911 for help, the man swung himself over the barrier in Providence's

Waterplace Park and dropped towards the waterway; and

     WHEREAS, Within yards of the potential tragedy, two park rangers, working under the

Providence Police, heard the call come in from dispatch. A moment later, the man's mother,

Nancy, spotted the two rangers and told them her son's name; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Catoni and Mr. Jennings pursued the young man, catching him just as

he was about to crash through the ice. Wrapping their arms around his arms, the rangers managed

to hold onto the 250-pound man as his feet submerged into the freezing water; and

     WHEREAS, Reinforcements from the Providence police force arrived on the scene and

helped to lift and guide the young man to an ambulance; and

     WHEREAS, Through the amazingly heroic efforts of Edward Catoni and Ronald

Jennings, this young man now has a future that will perhaps be brighter as time goes on; now,

therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and honors Park Rangers Edward Catoni and Ronald

Jennings for their heroic and clear-headed actions during the most dire of circumstances. These

two men are truly an inspiration to us all and we extend best wishes for their future happiness,

success, and good health; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mr. Edward Catoni and Mr. Ronald Jennings.

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