2020 -- H 7995

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LC005296

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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

EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF FORMER RHODE ISLAND STATE

SENATOR AND PARLIAMENTARIAN THE HONORABLE JOHN M. RONEY

     Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Mattiello, Shekarchi, Ajello, and Williams

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness and regret that this House has learned of the

passing of the Honorable John M. Roney, a venerated former member of the Rhode Island Senate,

a sagacious former Senate Parliamentarian, and an astute and well-respected attorney; and

     WHEREAS, A native of Washington, DC, John Roney earned his undergraduate degree

from Providence College and received his Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America

Columbus School of Law, which recognized him in 2004 with the Distinguished Alumni Award;

and

     WHEREAS, For the past four decades, Mr. Roney had made his home in Rhode Island,

and was the beloved husband of Barbara Roney, father of Carley Roney, Christopher Roney, and

Kristina Lowell, and the grandfather of many grandchildren. He loved the ocean and was an avid

sailor and the proud owner of "Daphne" a 38' Alden Challenger sailboat; and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from PC, Mr. Roney worked as a reporter for The Journal

in its Cranston bureau. In 1983, he teamed up with civil-rights lawyer Lynette Labinger to form

Roney & Labinger, championing civil-rights cases on behalf of Rhode Island's most vulnerable

and representing clients before state and federal courts, and professional boards until his

retirement in 2018; and

     WHEREAS, In 1994, the Honorable John Roney was elected as State Senator for the

Second District of Providence, an office he held for four terms. During his years with the Senate,

he served as Vice-Chair of the Finance and Judiciary Committees and had sponsored significant

pieces of legislation, including a revision of the Uniform Commercial Code; and

     WHEREAS, Noted for his sage advice, intellect and quick wit, in 2005, Mr. Roney

returned to the Senate as its Parliamentarian. Over the years he was honored with numerous

awards and distinctions including the 2018 Leadership Rhode Island (LRI) Volunteer Award for

facilitating the General Assembly simulation and mock floor debate for almost every class since

the early 1990s; and

     WHEREAS, Involved in myriad professional and civic organizations, Mr. Roney was the

recipient of the Community Service Award in 1995, and in 2003, was elected President of the RI

Bar Association. In 2009, he was awarded the Public Service Programs Certificate of

Appreciation for his tireless work with local charitable and civic organizations; and

     WHEREAS, The Honorable John Roney leaves a legacy that will benefit Rhode Islanders

for generations to come, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to have

loved him, served with him, or were the beneficiaries of his wisdom, humor and friendship; now,

therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby offers its sincere condolences on the passing of the Honorable

John M. Roney; 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. Barbara Roney and Family.

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