2020 -- H 8112

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LC005488

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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 SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE PAUL L.

GAINES, SR., THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN MAYOR IN NEW ENGLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Carson, Ranglin-Vassell, Williams, and Hull

     Date Introduced: July 16, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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Honorable Paul L. Gaines, Sr., beloved husband of Jo Eva Johnson Gaines, and cherished father

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of Jena Gaines, Patricia Gaines and her husband, Michael Dean, Paulajo Gaines and her husband,

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the Honorable William White, Jr., and Paul Gaines, Jr. He was also the very proud grandfather of

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Zachary Gaines Mays and Nicolas Gaines Mays; and

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     WHEREAS, Born in Newport, Mr. Gaines was a son of the late Pauline and Albert

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Gaines, and the brother of the late Albert Jr., William, Robert, Margaret and Estelle. He attended

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Newport's public schools and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education at Xavier University of

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Louisiana; and

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     WHEREAS, From 1955 through 1957, Mr. Gaines served our country with honor with

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the Second Armored Division of the United States Army in Europe. Upon discharge, he served in

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the Army Reserves for four years, and in 1968, continued his education, earning a Master’s

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degree in Counseling from Bridgewater State College; and

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     WHEREAS, For almost a decade, Mr. Gaines taught social studies, health, and physical

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education at Thompson Junior High School and later, taught history at Rogers High School where

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he was also the assistant and ultimately the head basketball coach. In 1968, he became assistant

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to the President for minority affairs and affirmative action at Bridgewater State College, retiring

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in 1996 after a 37-year career in education; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Gaines began his long and illustrious association with politics in 1968,

 

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when he was appointed to the Newport School Committee to fill an unexpired term. Appealing to

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a broad political spectrum, he was subsequently elected to a full term and in 1977, he successfully

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ran for the Newport City Council, becoming the first African American elected to the Council

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since the turn of the century; and

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     WHEREAS, Earning the respect of his fellow councilors, Mr. Gaines was elected Chair

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and Mayor of Newport in September of 1981, conferring him with the distinction of becoming the

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first African American Mayor in New England; and

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     WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Paul Gaines continuously recognized and

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embraced his responsibility to give back. During his tenure as Chair of the Committee for the

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Renovation of Patriots’ Park in Portsmouth, he oversaw the construction of a monument for the

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First Rhode Island Regiment (“the Black Regiment”) that fought in the Revolutionary War. His

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public service also included election to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention, and serving

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as a member of the Advisory Council of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the Rhode Island

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Ethics Commission, the Board of Trustees of St. Michael’s Country Day School, the Newport

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Historical Society, the Newport Public Schools Equity in Education Committee, and the Newport

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Canvassing Authority, where he was also named Chair, to name but a few of his many

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commitments and endeavors; and

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     WHEREAS, For his devotion to the our State, various organizations bestowed Paul

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Gaines was with a plethora of awards and honors. Upon his retirement from education, the Afro-

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American Alumni Society established the Paul L. Gaines Scholarship. He was also inducted into

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the Newport Sports Hall of Fame, delivered the keynote address at the 58th Annual Reading of

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the George Washington Letter to the Congregation of Touro Synagogue in Newport, and received

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the Living the Dream Award of the Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission; and

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     WHEREAS, Paul Gaines was a dedicated public official whose upright and noble life

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was a standard of emulation for us all, and his social and political conscience transformed and

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enriched the quality of life for many Rhode Islanders; now, therefore be it

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

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extends its deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Paul L. Gaines, Sr.; and be it

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further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Jo Eva Johnson Gaines and Family.

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