2016 -- H 8122

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LC005739

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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 ROBERT D. BILLINGTON ON BEING NAMED A 2016 "HERITAGE

HALL OF FAME" INDUCTEE

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Morin, Phillips, Johnston, and Messier

     Date Introduced: April 28, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Founded in 1965, the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame annually honors

those individuals whose contributions have enhanced the heritage of the State of Rhode Island.

Eligible members must be native Rhode Islanders or those who have adopted the Ocean State as

their permanent home; and

     WHEREAS, One of this year's venerable inductees is Robert "Bob" Billington, founder

of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC), and a man who has spent the better part of

three decades contributing his time, energy and talents to creating "an epic vision for the Valley"

and to inspiring others to work together for the betterment of our state; and

     WHEREAS, Bob earned his Bachelor's degree in management and marketing, his

Master's degree in Business Administration, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from

Johnson & Wales University; and

     WHEREAS, In 1985, Mr. Billington founded the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

where he has striven to incorporate the history, culture, nature, and commercial resources of the

nine cities and towns in the Blackstone Valley in order to create outstanding tourism "through

pride of place, education, development along the Blackstone River, community development, and

job creation." The Council was the first tourism agency in the world to be certified by the United

Nations World Tourism Organization; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure with the BVTC, Mr. Billington has spearheaded a panoply

of exciting and innovative projects. He oversaw construction of five riverboats, the Blackstone

Valley Explorer, two ferryboats, the Hope and the Renaissance, and an English canal boat Samuel

Slater. He also led the effort to create the Broad Street Regeneration Initiative, founded the

Sustainable Tourism Laboratory, from which Chocolate Mill Overlook Park in Central Falls was

built, and together with Tai-O, Inc., the Council assisted with the regeneration of the first

industrial road in the United States, planting over 200 cherry trees and lighting the first bridge on

the Blackstone; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to serving as President and CEO of the BVTC, Mr. Billington is

also the founder of the Rhode Island State Council on the Humanities, an adjunct Professor at

Boston University, Bristol Community College, Johnson & Wales University, and Lasell College,

a Board Member of the Pawtucket Foundation, the Conductor of The Polar Express, Chair of the

Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, and a member of the Board of Regents. He has also served as

a Commissioner with the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission and as past

Chairman of the Old Slater Mill Association; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Mr. Billington's tireless efforts have earned him

countless recognitions and awards including the Tourism for Tomorrow Award, The Phoenix

Award, the prestigious Ulysses Prize from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and

being named "Person of the Year" by the World Travel Awards; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Bob Billington has earned his reputation for

excellence and dedication to the Blackstone Valley. Being an inductee into the Rhode Island

Heritage Hall of Fame is a momentous tribute to this exceptional gentleman who is truly a role

model worthy of our recognition and emulation; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby joins his multitude of friends and admirers in congratulating and

honoring Bob Billington on his induction into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. We wish

him good health, much happiness, and continued success in all his 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 Mr. Robert Billington.

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