2019 -- S 0180

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LC001048

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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

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: Senators Archambault, Miller, Sosnowski, Crowley, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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

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

Emergency Management Agency; and

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

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

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

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

organization's President from 2010 through 2016; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

late deafened and deaf blind; and

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

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

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

acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

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

hereby honors 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. We moreover thank him for his

sixteen years of dedicated service to the deaf and hard of hearing community in Rhode Island and

wish him continued success with the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of

Hearing; 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. Steven A. Florio.

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LC001048

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