2016 -- S 2998

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LC005941

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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

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MICHAEL R. CLEMENT

     Introduced By: Senators Metts, Miller, Lombardi, P Fogarty, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Michael

R. Clement, the husband of the late Leslee Clement, cherished father of Regina Clement and

Nicole Clement, and a true leader in the community; and

     WHEREAS, "Mike" as he was known to his family and many friends, was the beloved

son of Maurice L. Clement and the late William D. Seals. He was the brother of Vincent Clement

and his companion, Elizabeth Gomes, Leroy Clement and his wife, Vergie, and Robert Clement;

and

     WHEREAS, Blessed with outstanding athletic ability, Mr. Clement had played football

and basketball at Central High School and was a member of the South Side Intruders. Upon

graduation, he attended Roger Williams University, earning his Bachelor's degree in Sociology;

and

     WHEREAS, A hard-working man, Mr. Clement's career with the City of Providence

spanned 33 years. He was elected as the first African American City Clerk of the City of

Providence in 1991, retiring in 2006, and he had also served as First and Second Deputy City

Clerk of the City of Providence, and as the Director of the Davey Lopes Recreation Center; and

     WHEREAS, Always an active and contributing member of the community, Mr. Clement

was on the Board of Directors of the Omni Development Corporation, John Hope Settlement

House, South Providence Boys & Girls Club, Providence Corporation and Wiggins Village

Apartments. He was also a member of the 11th Democratic Ward Committee and the Prince Hall

Masons (Prince Hall Grand Lodge), and was affiliated with the Best Friends Foundation and

Progress for Providence; and

     WHEREAS, Mike Clement was a generous and caring man who loved to fish and share

his catch with those he loved. His infamous fried fish seasonings are now forever lost but will

surely be fondly remembered. He was a fan of HBCU college football and would annually help to

organize bus trips to the Rhode Island Football Classic. He was also an avid collector of black

memorabilia and had amassed a panoply of treasures in his collection including, hats, t-shirts,

jackets and posters of the Negro League Baseball Teams, the Buffalo Soldiers and the Tuskegee

Airmen; and

     WHEREAS, The greatest tribute to Michael Clement would be a celebration of his

momentous life, a life in which each day was lived fully and joyfully embraced. He was fortunate

to have always enjoyed the love of his family and friends, and in return, he brightened and

enriched the lives of all around him. He will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses sincere condolences and sympathy on the passing of Michael R. Clement; 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 Maurice L. Clement, Regina Clement, and

Nicole Clement.

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