2018 -- H 8157

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LC005474

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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

HONORING AND THANKING ARTHUR P. SOUSA FOR 80 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF

DEDICATED SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN WITH DEFIANCE HOSE

COMPANY NO. 1 IN BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Marshall, Morin, Ajello, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Since 1938, Arthur P. Sousa has been diligently and courageously

volunteering his time and efforts to protecting and preserving the citizenry and homes in the town

of Bristol, as a member of the Bristol Fire Department's Defiance Hose Company; and

     WHEREAS, The year 2018 marks Mr. Sousa's 80th consecutive year of service with the

Bristol Fire Department; and

     WHEREAS, In terms of years of service, Mr. Sousa is not only the Company's senior

member, but also holds the distinction of being the oldest member of Bristol's volunteer fire

department; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Company, he served as the 2nd lieutenant from

1949 through 1954, and is a Charter Member of the Firemen's Memorial and Welfare

Committees; and

     WHEREAS, A native Bristolian, Mr. Sousa was born on his father's farm in the town of

Bristol, on February 22nd of 1919, more than ninety-nine years ago. A lifelong resident of the

town, he currently lives on Hope Street, in the home he shared with his wife Margaret, who

passed away in 2011. The couple had three children, Sharon Wollschlager, Robert Sousa, and the

late Arthur P. Sousa Jr.; and

     WHEREAS, The citizenry of Bristol lead far safer and more secure lives due to the

dedicated volunteer efforts of Arthur Sousa, and he is truly deserving of our heartfelt gratitude

and acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby joins members of the Company, and the family and friends of

Arthur P. Sousa in honoring and thanking him for 80 years of dedicated service as a volunteer

fireman with Defiance Hose Company No. 1 in Bristol. We moreover wish him continued

fulfillment and good health 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 Mr. Arthur P. Sousa, Defiance Hose Company

No. 1, Bristol, Rhode Island.

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LC005474

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