2019 -- H 5214

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LC001075

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING STEVEN A. FLORIO ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE RHODE ISLAND COMMISSION ON THE DEAF AND

HARD OF HEARING

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Shekarchi, Lima, Vella-Wilkinson, and
Handy

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Steven A. Florio earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from

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Gallaudet University, and his Master's degree in Leadership from Northeastern University. In

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addition, he has a Certificate in Planning and Functional and Access Needs from the Federal

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Emergency Management Agency; and

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     WHEREAS, For the past sixteen years, Mr. Florio has utilized his considerable talents

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and energy serving as the Executive Director for the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and

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Hard of Hearing (RICDHH). He also serves as Treasurer and the Co-Founding Board Member at

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the National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and was the

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organization's President from 2010 through 2016; and

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     WHEREAS, Prior to being named Executive Director in Rhode Island in 2002, Mr.

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Florio was an Accounting Financial Specialist at J.P. Morgan Chase in Newark, Delaware; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Florio is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and skilled in

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partnering with organizations and agencies to enhance service delivery to the deaf and hard of

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hearing community. During his tenure as Executive Director of RICDHH, Mr. Florio has

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successfully advocated for myriad legislative advancements and has initiated a panoply of

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technological and communication improvements for those who are deaf and hard of hearing; and

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     WHEREAS, In February of 2019, Mr. Florio will become the Commissioner of the

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Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). The MCDHH provides

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accessible communication, education, and support to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing,

 

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late deafened and deaf blind; and

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     WHEREAS, Highly regarded among his peers, Steve Florio is a dedicated advocate for

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the deaf and hard of hearing population and a proven leader. His efforts have had a positive and

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rewarding impact on the lives of many people, and he is enormously worthy of our emulation and

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acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

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Providence Plantations hereby honors Steven A. Florio on the occasion of his retirement as the

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Executive Director for the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. We

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moreover thank him for his sixteen years of dedicated service to the deaf and hard of hearing

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community in Rhode Island and wish him continued success with the Massachusetts Commission

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for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Steven A. Florio.

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LC001075

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