2017 -- H 5365

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF GLORIA RUSSELL

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Shekarchi, Kennedy, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House of Representatives has learned of the

passing of Gloria Russell; and

     WHEREAS, Gloria Russell, a native of Pawcatuck, passed away at the age of ninety. In

her youth, she was a model, attending Boston's prestigious modeling school, Academy Moderne,

and modeling professionally in Boston and New York. Later, she became a groundbreaker and

was a symbol of progress to many when she was hired as the first female reporter for the

Westerly Sun; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Russell got her start in public affairs when she hosted a radio call-in

program called "Party Line with Gloria." From this auspicious start, she began a journalism

career that saw her work for four newspapers: the Westerly Sun, Groton News, Norwich Bulletin

and the Providence Journal, as well as two radio stations. She worked on hard news stories,

features, series, and all aspects of the news business, and was respected by all who knew her for

her tireless work ethic, stylistic writing and stellar news reporter's instincts; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Russell had a diverse journalistic career that ranged from interviewing

many public figures through the years, including the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey and

the late United States Senator Claiborne Pell, to collaborating with former investigative reporter

Ellyn Santiago on a special "Hurricane of 1938" feature. She was a trailblazer and an inspiration

to many professional women. Ellyn Santiago said about her friend Gloria, upon learning of her

passing, that she was "a fearless and peerless journalist", and "a beloved friend and courageous

colleague"; and

     WHEREAS, Gloria Russell received the Athena Award in 2009 from the Ocean

Community Chamber of Commerce and was inducted into the Rhode Island Press Association

Hall of Fame in 2003, the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006, and the State Press

Association Hall of Fame. She was also named Rhode Island's Most Outstanding Older Worker in

2006, and received the Westerly Historical Society's Julia Award in 2016; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Russell was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution,

Phebe Green Ward Chapter, and was a Girl Scout assistant leader for many years. She enjoyed

helping the scouts with their arts and crafts projects, and teaching them how to write stories and

articles. Ms. Russell also vigorously supported numerous organizations including Stand Up For

Animals and the Westerly Airport Association. She enjoyed and found it relaxing to create things

with her hands including hand-braided rugs and clothespin dolls. She also made dust caps and

turbans for chemotherapy patients and would anonymously drop off these items at local oncology

doctors' offices; and

     WHEREAS, Gloria Russell leaves behind her daughter, Lea Rockholz, her grandchildren,

and was predeceased by her husband, the late Harold C. Russell, and by her son, the late Eric

Taivalantti; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby expresses its condolences on the passing of Gloria Russell; 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 Lea Rockholz.

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