2014 -- S 2401

========

LC003273

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

ANN HANSON

     Introduced By: Senators Bates, Algiere, Paiva Weed, Lombardi, and Crowley

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Former Rhode Island State Senator Ann H. Hanson passed away in

Potomac, Maryland after a short battle with cancer. She was a resident of Barrington, Rhode

Island from 1966 to 2012 and began wintering in Avon Park Florida in 1995, making it her

permanent home in May of 2012; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Ann H. Hanson was born in St. Albans, Vermont on May 10, 1935,

the only child of Leroy Edward and Bertha Rebecca (McLea) Harrington. She was raised in St.

Albans, graduating from the University of Vermont in 1956 with a BS degree in Medical

Technology, and subsequently worked as a medical researcher. In 1958, Ann married Daniel

James "Jim" Hanson, and left her career to devote herself full time to her children and community

service; and

     WHEREAS, Ann devoted much of her time to charitable and civic organizations. She

was a member of numerous organizations including the local PTA, the League of Women Voters,

the St. Andrews School Corporation, the Rhode Island Hospital Corporation, the Women’s Guild

at St. Luke’s Church in Barrington, the Roger Williams Hospital Auxiliary in Providence, Rhode

Island. She was also a Girl Scout Leader. Ann was a member of the Barrington Jr. Women’s Club

from 1965 to 1972 and served on its Board of Directors in 1971. She also became a member of

the Barrington Chapter of the League of Women voters in 1971, later serving on its Board of

Directors in 1972, and as President from 1973 to 1975; and

     WHEREAS, Ann began her distinguished service as a public servant when she was

elected to the Barrington Town Council in 1975, serving as Vice-President from 1976 to 1978,

and President from 1978 to 1980. In 1980 she was elected to serve her Barrington constituents in

the Rhode Island House of Representatives, and was later elected on June 21, 1983 to serve in the

Rhode Island State Senate, making her the only woman in the history of the Rhode Island General

assembly to move from the House of Representatives to the Rhode Island State Senate in the

same term. In 1987, Ann became the Rhode Island Senate's Minority Whip; and

     WHEREAS, In her distinguished 12 years of service in the Rhode Island General

Assembly, Senator Hanson worked tirelessly on behalf of her Barrington constituents.

Throughout her legislative career she favored such measures as the Bottle Bill, preservation of

open space, compulsory automobile insurance, reform of workers' compensation, the "Living

Will", combating child abuse and increased support for education. Ann was a passionate

supporter of women’s rights, and worked for the passage of a state equal rights amendment,

funding for child daycare, protection of abused wives, equal pay and equal opportunity, and

ensuring adequate child support from a divorced spouse; and

     WHEREAS, After politics, Senator Hanson’s other passions were entertaining and

international travel. Ann was an avid reader who was interested in current events, and she

enjoyed trips with her family to diverse corners of the world ranging from Alaska to Zimbabwe;

and

     WHEREAS, Senator Hanson is predeceased by her husband, Jim Hanson, and she is

survived by her four daughters, Julie Hanson Swanson and her husband, Alan Swanson of

Arlington, Virginia; Jennifer Hanson and her husband David VanSpeybroeck of Lake Oswego,

Oregon; Rebecca Hanson and her husband, Sudhir Rajkumar of Bethesda, Maryland; and Erica

Hanson of Washington, DC. She also leaves four granddaughters, Radhika and Indira Rajkumar,

and Nina and Madeline VanSpeyBroeck; a sister-in-law Julie Ann Burns and her husband, Robert

Burns of Milford, New Hampshire; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and

grandnephews; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Senator Ann H.

Hanson; 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 Julie Hanson Swanson of Arlington, Virginia,

Jennifer Hanson of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Rebecca Hanson of Bethesda, Maryland, and Erica

LC003273 - Page 2 of 3

     Hanson of Washington, DC.

========

LC003273

========

LC003273 - Page 3 of 3