2018 -- H 8070

========

LC005408

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING SINCERE BEST WISHES TO THE HONORABLE JOHN G. EDWARDS, IV,

ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Lima, Canario, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, A year of notable births, Prince, Madonna, and John G. Edwards, IV, were

all born in 1958. Jay was born on April 7th in Newport, the bouncing baby boy of John G

Edwards III, and Mary Ann Edwards, and the big brother of James Edwards; and

     WHEREAS, Developing his renowned oratory skills at a very young age, John spent

many a day in the "talking chair" while in first grade. After attending Portsmouth's public

schools, he attended the Centre Scolaire St. Marc a Lyons in Lyons, France during his junior year

in high school and graduated from St. George's School in Middletown in 1976; and

     WHEREAS, In 1973, Jay earned the distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout, the pinnacle

of achievement with the Boys Scouts, and has continued his association as a current member of

the National Eagle Scout Association. He also spent many hours sailing with the Ida Lewis Yacht

Club during his high school years; and

     WHEREAS, Laying the foundation for a future in politics, Jay attained his Bachelor's

degree in Political Science from Northeastern University in 1983, where he served as Chief

Justice for student court, and campaigned for Ted Kennedy; and

     WHEREAS, While attending college, Jay also consummated one of the biggest coups of

his life, while grooving at a rock and roll night club in Allston, Massachusetts, he met and

eventually convinced his beautiful wife, Donna, to marry him on August 14, 1982. They have

now been married for almost thirty-six years and have three wonderful children, John V, Kelsey,

and Mae, and most recently, a daughter-in-law, Brittany; and

     WHEREAS, Jay has worn many hats during his life. He has licenses in both Rhode

Island and Massachusetts for construction supervision and has managed projects in several New

England states. During his lifetime, he has also worked as a personal manager, a bartender, a

bouncer at Bunratty's, a laborer for his dad and mom's construction company, and as a restaurant

manager, but throughout the years, his heart always led him to politics; and

     WHEREAS, In 1991, Jay and Donna bought their first home in Tiverton, and beginning

in 1997, Jay served for ten years on the Tiverton Zoning Board. In 2007, he successfully ran for a

seat on the Town Council, and in 2009, won his seat in the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, an honor he still holds; and

     WHEREAS, Serving his constituency in District 70, Jay has been a member of House

Finance, House Labor, House Judiciary, House Veterans Affairs and House Oversight

Committees, and the Joint Committee on Economic Development. Earning the respect and

admiration of his fellow Representatives, he currently serves as the House Majority Whip; and

     WHEREAS, Committed to his community and public service, Jay's service has also

included, serving on the Tiverton school building committee, being a member of Lions Club

International, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Tiverton Democratic Committee, Save the Bay, the

Tiverton Land Trust, and the Sierra Club, and in 2014, becoming a CSG Henry Toll Fellow; and

     WHEREAS, Jay Edwards has been blessed with a loving family and a multitude of

cherished friends and loyal followers who are honored to join him in this special celebration;

now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby joins the family and friends of John G. Edwards, IV, in honoring

him on the very special occasion of his 60th Birthday. We furthermore wish him success and

fulfillment, and the very best health and happiness for many years to come; 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 Honorable John G. Edwards, IV.

========

LC005408

========

LC005408 - Page 2 of 2