2016 -- S 3084

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LC006213

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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 OUR FORMER COLLEAGUE, THE

HONORABLE MELVOID J. BENSON

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Paiva Weed, Metts, P Fogarty, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: June 15, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and profound sympathy that this Senate mourns the

passing on June 12, 2016, of our beloved friend and colleague, Melvoid J. Benson, an honest and

no-nonsense gentlewoman, who for many years, truly and whole-heartedly represented the people

of the town of North Kingstown in the Rhode Island House of Representatives; and

     WHEREAS, Melvoid Benson was the beloved wife of the late Arnathia "Ben" Benson,

and the cherished mother of the late Gilbert and Estes Benson. She attended Lane College,

graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a minor in Education. In the

early 1960s, she moved to Rhode Island from her home state of Tennessee and took a position as

a teacher until her retirement in 1990; and

     WHEREAS, During her 25-year teaching career, Mel taught at Hamilton Elementary

School, the former Quonset Elementary School, Davisville Middle School, and Wickford Middle

School; and

     WHEREAS, On November 6, 1990, the Honorable Melvoid Benson was elected to the

Rhode Island House of Representatives, where she represented the North Kingstown community

for seven terms. She was one of the first black women to be elected to the Rhode Island

legislature and took pride in her efforts to establish the Quonset Business Park. Described as

tough, direct, and honest, it was often said that you wouldn’t ask Mel a question if you didn’t

want to hear an honest response; and

     WHEREAS, Returning to her roots in education, Mel successfully ran for a seat on the

North Kingstown School Committee, serving from 2004 until 2012, when she chose not to run for

re-election; and

     WHEREAS, Always active in the community, Mel was a board member of Family

Service of Rhode Island Inc., and a member of the North Kingstown Democratic Town

Committee; and

     WHEREAS, Earning a panoply of honors over the course of her illustrious lifetime,

Congress has proposed to officially designate the North Kingstown United States Postal Service

building as the "Melvoid J. Benson Post Office Building" in her honor; and

     WHEREAS, Mel Benson enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to have

been part of her noble life, and her dedication to public service has truly made the future

healthier, safer, and a bit brighter for the citizens of this state; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the family of the Honorable Melvoid J. Benson. We

further avow that she will forever be warmly remembered by this membership and the citizens of

Rhode Island for the profundity and generosity of her heart, and for the lifetime of service she

bestowed on the people of this state; 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 the North Kingstown United Methodist Church.

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LC006213

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