2020 -- H 7994

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF NICHOLAS ALAHVERDIAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Hull, Mattiello, Filippi, Shekarchi, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the untimely passing of

Nicholas Alahverdian, the beloved husband to the love of his life whom he affectionately referred

to as "my daisy," a devoted and loving father to his two children, and an accomplished author and

passionate child welfare reform advocate; and

     WHEREAS, Nicholas Alahverdian spent much of his youth in the foster care system.

During his years in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, he endured

significant abuse, deprivation of education, neglect and harmful living conditions. The challenges

he faced throughout those years could have irreparably shattered his life but instead, those

hardships gave him understanding, passion, and drive; and

     WHEREAS, More than a survivor, Nicholas endured and ultimately overcame his years

in the system to become a Harvard-trained sociologist and political scientist, an accomplished

author, and for two decades, one of the most vocal, outspoken and constructive advocates for

reforming Rhode Island's DCYF and the child care system; and

     WHEREAS, Putting in marathon hours devoted to reform, Nicholas had worked with

four DCYF directors, spent hours in General Assembly committee hearings, and was described as

"A fighter in spirit but a peacemaker in practice"; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his family, writing and crusader for reform, Nicholas was a

devout Roman Catholic who loved to sail, paint and read, and ornithology; and

     WHEREAS, Nicholas Alahverdian led "a warrior's life" fighting for some of the most

vulnerable children in our state. Sadly, he lost his final battle against non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

following complications with pneumonia but he will surely be remembered by those whose lives

he strived to improve and in the hearts of those he loved; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby extends deepest condolences on the passing of Nicholas

Alahverdian; 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. Alahverdian and Family.

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