2020 -- S 2329

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND CONGRATULATING EARL J. CROFT, III, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

THE RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY, ON HIS RETIREMENT

AFTER THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, McCaffrey, Ruggerio, Goodwin, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2020

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Earl J. “Buddy” Croft, III, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike

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and Bridge Authority (RITBA), is retiring after a remarkable thirty-seven year career of

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distinguished public service. His tireless commitment and service to the citizens of Rhode Island

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has been admired and appreciated by all who know him and all have observed just how well

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government departments and entities have performed while under his direction, leadership and

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guidance; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Croft began his public service career at Bishop Hendricken High

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School, where he was a teacher and football coach. He later worked at a variety of positions with

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the City of Cranston, including serving as the Assistant Public Works Director. Mr. Croft then

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proceeded to work for the Rhode Island Family Court where he once again showed his versatility

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shining in a number of capacities, including serving as the Family Court’s Drug Court

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Coordinator, Truancy Court Coordinator and as Chief of Staff; and

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     WHEREAS, For the last thirteen years, since July of 2006, Mr. Croft has served with

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honor, integrity and distinction as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and

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Bridge Authority. Under his leadership, RITBA has made numerous positive changes that have

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vastly improved bridge transportation throughout Rhode Island including electronic tolling, E-Z

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Pass, and Open Road Tolling. Director Croft also played a vital role in the installation of a

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median barrier on the Newport Bridge; and

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     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island gave RITBA the responsibility for the Sakonnet

 

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River Bridge and the Jamestown Bridge during Mr. Croft’s tenure as Executive Director. Under

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his guidance and direction, many important reconstruction and maintenance projects on all four

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bridges under RITBA jurisdiction were completed. Mr. Croft also led the recent 50th Anniversary

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Celebration of the Newport Pell Bridge; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Croft was an active member of the International Bridge Tunnel and

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Turnpike Association (IBTTA), and served as President of the IBTTA in 2016. He also served as

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a member of the Organization’s Executive Committee from 2013 to 2016. Governor Gina

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Raimondo succinctly summed up Mr. Croft’s distinguished public service career and tenure as

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Executive Director of RITBA by stating “Every Rhode Islander has benefitted from Buddy’s

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steadfast commitment to improving our state’s infrastructure and willingness to go the extra

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mile”; now, therefore be it

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

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hereby thanks Mr. Earl J. “Buddy” Croft, III, for his thirty-seven years of exemplary public

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service, including thirteen years as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge

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Authority, and wishes him a most happy retirement and continued success in all his future

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endeavors; and be it 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 Mr. Earl J. Croft, III.

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