2018 -- S 2998

========

LC005927

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING SENATOR DANIEL DA PONTE FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Algiere, and Conley

     Date Introduced: June 22, 2018

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, On November 3rd of 1998, the Honorable Daniel Da Ponte was elected to

the Rhode Island Senate, representing portions of the City of East Providence in what is now

District 14. Only 20 years old at the time, he was the youngest person ever elected to the Senate

to that point. By earning the trust and confidence of his constituents, he has been re-elected to and

held his seat for the past two decades; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Daniel Da Ponte is the husband of Marcia Da Ponte, and

together they have two children, Antonio and Sofia. He makes his home in the City of East

Providence and is a graduate of La Salle Academy. Continuing his education, he attained his

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's

degree in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University. He is the President and

Chief Compliance Officer of Axis Advisors; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Da Ponte's astute fiscal skills have made him an invaluable member

of the Senate Committee on Finance. He is also a member of the Senate Committee on Rules, and

Government Ethics & Oversight; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Da Ponte served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance

from 2009 to 2017. A champion of responsible budgeting, he advanced legislation that required

transparency from companies receiving tax incentives, and regular reports regarding the public

benefits of those incentives. Senator Da Ponte championed the historic income tax reform that

reduced the top marginal income tax rate from 9.9 percent to 5.99 percent, among other tax

reforms that improved the state's business climate; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure, Senator Da Ponte has worked diligently on myriad issues,

including increasing wages to private direct care workers, legislation prohibiting individuals

served with protective orders relating to domestic assault from shutting off or disrupting utility

services, legislation providing children with disabilities the opportunity to continue educational

programs through to the conclusion of the school or program's academic year, even if the student

reaches the age of 21 during the school year, and numerous additional focuses; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Da Ponte's public service has extended well beyond the State

House. He serves the community as a member of the Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood of

Rhode Island, The Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense, the Portuguese American Leadership

Council and St. Francis Xavier Parish. Senator Da Ponte annually organizes and hosts a Day of

Portugal Celebration at the State House, and he successfully worked to keep the local Providence

office of the Portuguese consulate open when its closure was being considered in 2006; and

     WHEREAS, Despite his numerous impressive accomplishments over the course of his

public service, his triumphant achievement came just this year, with enactment of legislation to

create a "Day of Portugal" license plate; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Da Ponte serves as a model of dedicated and conscientious civic

service, and has earned the respect and the gratitude of the citizens in his community and the

people of this state for making Rhode Island a better place to live and grow; now, therefore be it

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

hereby honors Senator Daniel Da Ponte for his service to the people of this state and wishes him

good health, fulfillment, and continued success in all his future endeavors; 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 Daniel Da Ponte.

========

LC005927

========

LC005927 - Page 2 of 2