2016 -- H 8086

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LC005731

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING GEORGIA FORTUNATO ON BEING SELECTED AS RHODE

ISLAND'S 2015-2016 "SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR"

     Introduced By: Representatives Jacquard, Lancia, Corvese, Ackerman, and O`Grady

     Date Introduced: April 14, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, "The future," in the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "belongs to those who

believe in the beauty of their dreams." Georgia Fortunato, Superintendent of the Lincoln School

District, inspires her staff and the school system's students to envision the possibilities, to have

confidence in themselves and their abilities, and to believe in a future full of promise; and

     WHEREAS, Superintendent Fortunato was appointed Superintendent of Lincoln's public

schools in 2007. Previously, she had been a special education teacher in the district, as well as

serving as Transition Coordinator and Director of Student Services; and

     WHEREAS, In preparation for her career in education, Ms. Fortunato graduated from

Classical High School and earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Rhode Island

College; and

     WHEREAS, Superintendent Fortunato is a true and proven champion of education.

During her tenure as Superintendent, she is credited with steering the district towards a global

approach to closing achievement gaps, and has led the district's efforts to implement a $2.2

million technology initiative, a $2.3 million facility upgrade, and a $1.5 million security

initiative; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, the school district has been awarded numerous grants under Ms.

Fortunato leadership including a $935,000 Teaching American History grant, a $400,000 World

of Work grant, and a $100,000 Champlin Foundation grant; and

     WHEREAS, Superintendent Fortunato has also been very active with professional

associations across the state including serving as Chair of the Northern Collaborate Board of

Superintendents, as a member of the RIC Alumni Board of Directors and the New England

Association of School's Advisory committee, as a guest lecturer at area colleges and universities,

and on the Executive Committee, Special Awards Committee, and Legislative Committees for the

Rhode Island School Superintendents' Association; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School Superintendents' Association has selected Georgia

Fortunato as the "Rhode Island Superintendent of the Year" in recognition of her outstanding

accomplishments. Her dedication and expertise have been tremendous assets to the entire school

community, and her genuine love of learning has not only helped hundreds of children to

succeed, but has earned her the praise and admiration of her peers; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Superintendent Georgia Fortunato on the prestigious

honor of being named the 2015-2016 "Superintendent of the Year" by the Rhode Island School

Superintendents' Association. We furthermore wish her the very best of health, happiness, and

success in all her future endeavors; 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 Ms. Georgia Fortunato.

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