2018 -- H 8071

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE MARVIN L. ABNEY ON

BEING SELECTED AS A 2018 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI BY THE TEXARKANA

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Morgan, Edwards, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Annually, the Texarkana Independent School District Board of Trustees

recognizes members of their alumni who have brought benefit to their fellow citizens,

demonstrated service to community, exhibited outstanding leadership and ethical standards, and

attained significant personal and professional achievements. One of this year's most-deserving

recipients is our good friend and colleague Representative Marvin Abney; and

     WHEREAS, Marvin Abney graduated with honors from Dunbar High School and

attended Texarkana Jr. College before completing his Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

from Stephen F. Austin State University. He continued his education, earning a Master's degree in

Management from Webster University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the

University of Rhode Island, and a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership

from Johnson & Wales University; and

     WHEREAS, For twenty years, Mr. Abney served our country with honor and distinction

in the United States Army where he completed Officer Candidate School and Airborne training,

graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and served in

several positions, including commanding a United States detachment for the NATO Headquarters

in Belgium; and

     WHEREAS, Over the ensuing years, Mr. Abney served the state in myriad capacities.

He was the interim Director of Human Resources Development for the State of Rhode Island's

Department of Secondary and Elementary Education, and in November of 2012, was elected to

the Rhode Island House of Representatives serving the residents of Newport and Middletown in

District 73; and

     WHEREAS, Earning the utmost respect of his peers, Representative Abney was named

Chairman of the House Finance Committee in May 2016, and also serves on the House

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure in the House, Chairman Abney was the lead sponsor of

the Fiscal Year 2018 state budget that funded the first year of the car tax six-year phase-out plan,

raised the minimum wage, restored free bus fares for the elderly and disabled, and included a

pilot program to provide two years of free tuition at CCRI; and

     WHEREAS, On the educational front, Representative Abney often speaks to the state's

students and parents about the vital need for young people to get a good education, stay drug and

alcohol free, and embrace racial tolerance; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Abney and his wife, Cheryl Lynn, actively advocate and

promote the adoption of minority children. Being the devoted parents of Marvin L. Abney II,

Christian A. Abney, and Tess A. Abney, and grandparents of Sierra, Jade, Mia and Dakota, has

instilled the couple with the desire to give all children the kind of life and opportunities in life that

they deserve; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his family and rigorous duties at the State House, Chairman

Abney somehow finds the time and energy to serve the community on the Board of Corporators

for BankNewport, the Board of Directors of the Redwood Library & Athenaeum, and as the Vice-

Chair of the Budget and Revenue Committee of the National Council of State Legislatures. He

has also served as a Vice-President on the Executive Board for the Narragansett Boy Scouts

Council, as President of the Newport Education Foundation, and as the President of the Parent

Teachers Association of American NATO Schools, Mons Belgium, to name but a few of his

myriad philanthropic endeavors; and

     WHEREAS, Martin Luther King, Jr. was quoted as saying, "Every man must decide

whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive

selfishness." The Honorable Marvin Abney's life has been a testament to making the right choices

and has been replete with devotion to his family, his constituency, our state, and this country, and

we are exultant to honor and salute him for this illustrious award and his many inspiring

achievements; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and congratulates Representative Marvin Abney on

being selected as one of the Texarkana Independent School District's 2018 Distinguished Alumni.

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We can think of no one who deserves this distinction more than Chairman Abney and we wish

him the very best of health and happiness in all his endeavors; and

     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 Marvin Abney.

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