2016 -- H 8358

========

LC006217

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING LAWRENCE W. POITRAS ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FORTY YEARS

OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Morin, Casey, Lima, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: June 16, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, A dedicated, innovative educator and administrator, Larry Poitras has

distinguished himself throughout his career in education. His leadership as Principal of Good

Shepherd Junior High School has clearly been exemplary, and he has earned the admiration of his

colleagues, and the gratitude and respect of all the children he has guided for the past four

decades; and

     WHEREAS, Larry Poitras was born and raised in Woonsocket. He served in the United

States Army and was stationed in New Jersey and Germany during the Vietnam War years. Upon

returning stateside, he attended Rhode Island Junior College, now known as the Community

College of Rhode Island, under the G.I. Bill, and made the life-changing discovery that education

was his calling and history was his passion; and

     WHEREAS, In 1975, Mr. Poitras earned his degree from Rhode Island College, and

began his teaching career at LaSalle Academy as a substitute teacher. In 1976, he joined the staff

at what would become the Woonsocket Catholic Regional Junior High School; and

     WHEREAS, Taking an innovative approach to history, Mr. Poitras developed a course on

the history of the City of Woonsocket and a half-year elective on the study of the Holocaust; and

     WHEREAS, Eventually, Mr. Poitras' history classroom was moved to the new Good

Shepherd Junior High School and within a few years, he was promoted to Principal. Missing the

challenges of teaching, he returned to the classroom, but within a few years, was once again

asked to accept the position as Principal, a position he has held ever since; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his 40 years in education, Mr. Poitras is a widely-known 33-

year veteran radio personality on WNRI, AM-1380 in Woonsocket, a position he will not be

retiring from any time soon. He has been married to his wife, Elizabeth Poitras, for 46 years, and

together they are the parents of two daughters, Jennifer MacDonald and Aimee Bernier, and the

very proud grandparents of three grandchildren. He is also active as a volunteer at the Stadium

Theatre; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Poitras is retiring in June of 2016, after forty years of dedicated,

devoted and distinguished service to the students and citizens of Woonsocket. The

accomplishments and strides he has made in the educational experience for the children at Good

Shepherd Junior High School will be felt for generations; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby honors and commends Lawrence Poitras on the occasion of his

retirement. We thank him for all his efforts and wish him good health, fulfillment and much

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. Lawrence Poitras.

========

LC006217

========

LC006217 - Page 2 of 2