2020 -- H 8029

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LC005388

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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 DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JONATHAN B. MILLER

     Introduced By: Representative Katherine S. Kazarian

     Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

of Jonathan B. Miller, MBA, the cherished son of Dr. Kevin and Janet Miller, beloved brother of

Chelsea Apanovitch, DPT, and her husband, Austin, Courtney Miller, MD, and her fiancé,

Andrew Wall, and Anthony Miller. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, David and

Diane Miller, and several uncles, aunts, cousins, Godchildren, and cherished friends. He was

predeceased by his grandparents, the late Frank and Gloria Bianco; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, “Jon” as he was affectionately known by his family and

many friends, made his entrance into the world five weeks early and resultantly spent more than

two years in the hospital enduring countless surgeries and procedures due to gastroschisis; and

     WHEREAS, Blessed with his parents' amazing love and dedication, Jon became one of

the first children to be discharged home on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) IV feedings, a

procedure he would endure for the next twenty-six years of his life; and

     WHEREAS, Jon graduated from East Providence High School and received his

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Johnson & Wales University. He had worked as a real

estate property manager, an office administrator for Miller Chiropractic in East Providence, and

also enjoyed being an Uber driver; and

     WHEREAS, In 1994, Jon received the Lifeline Child of the Year Award, a national

award given to an inspirational child who exemplifies strength and courage. As a young man, he

traveled to Washington, D.C., with his father in order to discuss the importance of removing pre-

existing medical condition clauses in healthcare insurance policies with Senators. He also

participated in the National March for Life with St. Brendan’s CYO; and

     WHEREAS, Jon’s parents created the “Courage Award” in his honor. Thus far, more

than 150 East Providence students, who have demonstrated outstanding courage due to

challenging circumstances in their lives, have been honored with this award; and

     WHEREAS, In 2009, due to the overwhelming complications associated with the

procedure, Jon chose to stop the TPN, resultantly giving him a diagnosis from his doctors of only

two months to live; and

     WHEREAS, Always a fighter, Jon beat the odds and spent the following eleven years

celebrating life, and despite his travails, his spirit remained laudable and vibrant, and his joy for

life was always exhibited in his perpetual smile. Jon was truly an inspiration to all who knew

him, and he will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby expresses deepest sympathy to the entire Miller Family on the

passing of Jonathan B. Miller; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Dr. Kevin and Janet Miller, Chelsea

Apanovitch, DPT, and Family, Courtney Miller, MD, and Anthony Miller.

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