2015 -- H 6269

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LC002819

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RAPHAEL SAGARIN

     Introduced By: Representative Brian C. Newberry

     Date Introduced: June 02, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the untimely passing

of Raphael "Rafe" Sagarin, renowned marine ecologist and professor at the University of

Arizona, and the beloved husband of Rebecca Masten Crocker and devoted father of Ella and

Rosa; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Sagarin was born and raised in Connecticut, the son of Mary and Jacob

Daniel Sagarin, and the brother of Mark and Joshua Sagarin. During his youth, he spent many

summers on Cape Cod with his family where his lifelong love of the ocean and marine life began.

He attended Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station where he completed his undergraduate

and doctoral studies; and

     WHEREAS, In 1993, Mr. Sagarin, in collaboration with a fellow classmate, conducted

his first of many published and acclaimed studies, this one revealing for the first time, the effects

of climate change on the intertidal ecosystem. He continued his research, studying Pacific Grove's

tidal pools, which he guided then President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore on a tour of the

area. He also studied the Gulf of California, often traveling to the area accompanied by fellow

researchers; and

     WHEREAS, Leading an exciting and challengingly diverse course through his life, Rafe

Sagarin was committed to education and research, had published a number of books, worked and

led the ocean ecosystem initiative at Biosphere 2, had served as a science advisor, led the

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, trained military

personnel, corporations, and emergency response teams, and lectured on applying adaptive

lessons on the natural world to dealing with security threats, and was a gifted artist, to name but a

few of his many achievements and talents; and

     WHEREAS, Rafe Sagarin was described by a friend and colleague as a Renaissance guy

who "lived life to the fullest" and "did what he loved and loved what he did." His life was

tragically cut too short but was filled with amazing discoveries and accomplishments and the

abounding love of his family and friends. He will be dearly missed; now therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Professor

Raphael Sagarin; 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 Rebecca Masten Crocker and Family.

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