2015 -- S 0986

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LC002862

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT OF JOAN RESS REEVES AS A BOARD MEMBER

EMERITUS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senator Gayle L. Goldin

     Date Introduced: June 11, 2015

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, A quote from a Denver Post editorial sums up the whole-hearted

commitment and sentiment Joan Ress Reeves has contributed to her chosen profession,

"Librarians are very special people. They are the caregivers of the world of the mind, the

nurturers of dreams and the defenders of truth. Perhaps no other profession is so marked by the

singular generosity of its practitioners"; and

     WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Joan Ress Reeves has dedicated her time and

copious talents to the benefit of myriad local and national libraries; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Reeves has served as both a delegate and Chair to the White House

Conference on Library and Information Services, and has testified before the United States

Congress in support of libraries. In addition, she has served on the American Library

Association's (ALA) Committee on Legislation, the ALA Grassroots Advocacy Committee, and

the United for Libraries Legislative Committee; and

     WHEREAS, Locally, Ms. Reeves is one of the founders and serves as the Chair Emerita

of the Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Reeves has been honored for her tireless efforts in advocating for

libraries and her contributions to the betterment of our state and national libraries with numerous

recognitions including, the lifetime achievement Award from the University of Rhode Island

Graduate School of Library and Information Studies; and

     WHEREAS, As the former Chair and a longstanding, active member of The Library

Board of Rhode Island, Ms. Reeves has earned the respect and gratitude of its entire membership

for her significant contributions and the depth of knowledge she has, and continues to contribute

to the Board; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law 29-3.1 limits successive terms for members of

the Library Board of Rhode Island, thus resulting in the significant loss of Ms. Reeves' continued

contributions of her valued experience and knowledge as a vital resource to the Library Board;

now, therefore be it

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

hereby respectfully requests Governor Gina Raimondo to appoint Joan Ress Reeves as Member

Emeritus to the Library Board of Rhode Island, and in that capacity, to welcome and encourage

her to attend all future meetings, engage in debate and discussion, join subcommittees, and enjoy

all non-voting privileges of the Board; 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 the Honorable Gina Raimondo and Ms. Joan

Ress Reeves.

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