2015 -- H 6067

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING CHARLES CELESTE BALDELLI ON A LIFETIME OF CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT

AND CONGRATULATING HIM ON THE DEDICATION OF THE WOONSOCKET SENIOR

SOFTBALL FIELD AND SPORTS COMPLEX IN HIS HONOR

     Introduced By: Representatives Morin, Casey, Phillips, Marcello, and Newberry

     Date Introduced: April 14, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Charles Celeste Baldelli, better known as "Charlie" to his family and many

friends, was born on August 4th of 1933, in the City of Woonsocket, a son of Alesandro and

Marina Baldelli. As is often the case in his hometown, he continues to reside in the same home in

which he was born; and

     WHEREAS, Charlie attended public school in Woonsocket and later, served our country

with honor in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he attained

employment at the Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company, rising to the management level

before his retirement after thirty-five years of service; and

     WHEREAS, In 1976, Charlie was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

After serving five terms in the General Assembly, he was elected mayor of the City of

Woonsocket. During his tenure as a legislator, he served on numerous committees and was

instrumental in raising the drinking age in Rhode Island from 18 to 21 years of age, and in

bringing a dialysis center to Woonsocket; and

     WHEREAS, In 1985, Charlie was elected and became Woonsocket's first mayor of

Italian American heritage. Dedicated to improving his beloved city, he initiated a top-to-bottom

study of the city's municipal government, which resulted in its restructuring. He was also key in

the creation of the Main Street Revitalization Plan, was the originator and supporter of a Labor

Museum for the city, which eventually evolved into the Museum of Work and Culture, as well as

being vital to the creation of the Woonsocket Neighborhood Development, the establishment of

the Woonsocket Municipal Court, the creation of a community assistance program, and economic

initiatives that resulted in the creation and expansion of the Highland Corporate Park and CVS;

and

     WHEREAS, Charlie has also raised awareness for the City of Woonsocket's heritage and

importance. He hosted, and in conjunction with the ever-youthful Albert R. Beauparlant, helped

organize the city's centennial celebration in 1988. For his efforts, Charlie has been named Senior

of the Year and was named Grand Marshall of Autumnfest; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his serving as Mayor and in the General Assembly, Charlie

was elected to the City Council and has served as the Chairperson of the Woonsocket Housing

Authority, the Woonsocket Personnel Board, the Democratic City Committee, and as a member

of the C.D.B.G. Board; and

     WHEREAS, Not a man likely to slow down, Charlie has spent his retirement years

dedicated to the creation of programs that benefit the senior citizens of Greater Woonsocket,

including the establishment of a community-wide softball league, a bowling league exclusively

for seniors, and aided in the development of leagues for bocce, quoits, table tennis, and pitch in

order to enable and encourage area seniors to enjoy and participate in exercise, and experience

cultural enrichment, and good fellowship; and

     WHEREAS, In appreciation for the panoply of devoted service to the well-being of the

people and particularly the senior citizens of the City of Woonsocket, the municipal senior

softball field and sports complex has been dedicated and named in honor of Charles C. Baldelli,

and we can think of no man more deserving of this recognition and of our gratitude; now,

therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Charles C. Baldelli on the dedication of the

Woonsocket Senior Softball Field and Sports Complex in his honor. We moreover thank him for

his many decades of service to the people of this state and the City of Woonsocket, and we wish

him good health and much happiness; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Charles Celeste Baldelli.

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