2019 -- S 0099

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE SENATOR

MICHAEL J. DAMIANI

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

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Michael J. Damiani, a man who faithfully served our state

and the citizens of East Providence as both a police officer and Rhode Island State Senator, sadly

passed away on September 8, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Sharlene Damiani; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Damiani was born in Providence, a son of the late Louis and Cecilia

Damiani. He was a lifelong resident of the Riverside neighborhood in East Providence. He

served as a police officer for the City of East Providence for seventeen years, rising to the rank of

Sergeant before retiring in 1996. He was a beloved member of the Department and mentored

many young officers and continued to support the police department long after his retirement; and

     WHEREAS, In 1996, Mr. Damiani was elected to serve the citizens of East Providence in

the Rhode Island State Senate, a position he held for ten years until his retirement in 2006. As a

State Senator, he played a vital role in the establishment of the Rhode Island State Registry of Sex

Offenders, and was a significant force in the passing of laws mandating that health insurers

provide coverage for Lyme Disease, and mandating defibrillators for all Rhode Island College

buildings and police cars. Senator Damiani rose to the position of Deputy Majority Leader; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Damiani held a variety of public safety positions. He was a firearms

instructor, a sniper on the SWAT Team, an arson investigator, a Dive Master who specialized in

underwater body recoveries, and was responsible for starting the Search and Rescue Team for the

East Providence Police Department. He was also a fervent believer in the Second Amendment, a

Patriot Member of the NRA, and a Range Master at the Massasoit Gun Club; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Damiani was also a member of numerous civic organizations

including the East Providence Fraternal Order of Police, the Riverside Bishop Hickey Knights of

Columbus, the Rhode Island Bomb Squad and the National Association of State Boaters Law

Administrators. In his free time, he was the consummate outdoorsman who loved fishing,

hunting, and boating; and

     WHEREAS, The number one priority in Senator Damiani's life was his family. He was a

vital part of his family’s life and was always there for his wife, children, and grandchildren,

whether they needed hugs, help with homework or to have a carburetor fixed; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to Sharlene, his wife of forty years, Senator Damiani leaves

behind his children, Michael Damiani, Jr., and his wife, Isabel, Jennifer L. Damiani, and Christine

M. Damiani. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Evelyn, Jocelyn, Lucas and Joseph

Damiani, a brother, Steven Damiani and his wife, Linda, a sister-in-law, Elaine Damiani, and

several nieces and nephews; now, therefore be it

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

hereby expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Senator Michael J.

Damiani; 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 Mrs. Sharlene Damiani and Family.

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