2016 -- S 2001

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LC003471

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING PATRICIA EUGENIA LAVAGNINO-SPINOLA FOR HER OUTSTANDING

DIPLOMATIC SERVICE TO THE GUATEMALAN COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY DURING

HER STAY IN RHODE ISLAND, AND WISHING HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN HER

NEW DUTIES IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Paiva Weed, Morgan, Lombardi, and Sheehan

     Date Introduced: January 05, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Patricia Eugenia Lavagnino-Spinola was born on July 5, 1957 in Guatemala

City. She studied law at the University of Landivar, studied private and public Administration and

took courses on immigration and emigration, human and drug trafficking issues, and on human

rights subjects at the University of Cranston and Ottawa University in Canada, Mexico, Taiwan,

Guatemala, and Belize. In Mexico, she studied at the Diplomatic School of Matias Romero,

attaining an Associate's degree in Diplomacy and International Commerce; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Lavagnino-Spinola's exemplary Guatemalan diplomatic career began

in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where she was posted as Third Secretary of the Embassy of

Guatemala. She was promoted to First Secretary and Consul while serving in the same embassy.

In 1987, she was assigned as Guatemalan Delegate to the General Assembly of the United

Nations Organization and held a temporary position at the Permanent Mission before the UNO;

and

     WHEREAS, In 1993, Mrs. Lavagnino-Spinola was transferred to serve as First Secretary

and Consul at the Embassy of Guatemala in Mexico, where her primary duty was to provide

protection to the Guatemalan transmigration. She was charged with providing protection and aid

to Guatemalans in various humanitarian situations, such as Guatemalans who deceased in transit,

amputees, to search for lost and kidnapped women and children, and other assorted duties and

responsibilities; and

     WHEREAS, In 1997, Mrs. Lavagnino-Spinola was transferred to the Republic of China,

where she was later promoted to the position of Minister Counsellor. In 2003, she was transferred

to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala as Deputy Director of Consular Affairs, and

shortly thereafter, to serve as the Director of Consular Affairs. In 2005, she was transferred to

Belize to serve as First Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of Guatemala. Her main duties were

to provide protection to Guatemalans and to assist the Ambassador in his political duties; and

     WHEREAS, In 2010, Mrs. Lavagnino-Spinola was posted as Consul General of

Guatemala in Providence, Rhode Island. She worked tirelessly with the local authorities, leaders

of civil society, community leaders, and the private sector to provide services, information, and

assistance to the Guatemalan community residing throughout New England. During her stay in

Rhode Island, she admired the Ocean State's nature, cultural and tourist attractions, but most of

all, she loved the people of our great state. On December 15, 2015, she was transferred to San

Francisco, California, EEUU, to serve as Consul General of Guatemala. Rhode Island's loss is

California's gain. We will sorely miss her commitment to justice and equality for all and her

tireless devotion to the people of Guatemala, wherever they reside; now, therefore be it

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

hereby honors Patricia Eugenia Lavagnino-Spinola for her outstanding diplomatic service to the

Guatemalan community, especially during her stay in Rhode Island, and wishes her continued

success in her new duties in San Francisco, California; 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 Mrs. Patricia Eugenia Lavagnino-Spinola.

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LC003471

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