2020 -- S 2888

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LC005354

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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

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

ARMANDO EMILIO BATASTINI, JR.

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Goodwin, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of the

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Honorable Armando Emilio Batastini, Jr., devoted husband of Mary Elizabeth Batastini for fifty-

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four years, and the beloved father of Armando III, and his wife, Kara, Maria, Laurie, and

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Christina, and the proud grandfather of Lucien, Paul Joseph, Emilia, Olivia, and Ryanne; and

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     WHEREAS, The son of the late Katherine and Armando Batastini, Sr., Armand, as he

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was fondly known by family and friends, was a lifelong resident of the Elmhurst/Mt. Pleasant

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section of Providence; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from St. Pius School, LaSalle Academy, and the

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Massanutten Military Academy, Mr. Batastini earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees by

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attending Brown University, Providence College, and Boston University, and had served our

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country with honor in the United States Navy; and

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     WHEREAS, For thirty-seven years, Mr. Batastini worked in Student Services for the

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Providence School Department. He focused on improving student attendance, and spent many

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hours visiting students' homes and co-working with parents; and

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     WHEREAS, The Honorable Armand Batastini served in the Rhode Island House of

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Representatives from 1976 until 1992, representing neighborhoods in the Elmhurst/Mt. Pleasant

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and North Providence areas. Well respected by his peers, he had been named a Deputy Majority

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Leader and Chairman of the Children's Code Commission, and had championed legislation for

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gifted education and senior rights, most notably on the Senior Citizen Bill of Rights; and

 

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     WHEREAS, In addition to his years of service at the State House, Mr. Batastini was

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named to the Governor's Advisory Commission on Children and Youth for his work with

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education, had served on the Elmhurst Little League Board of Directors, and together with his

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daughter, Christina, sponsored a youth baseball team. He also coached youth basketball, both

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boys and girls, for 63 years, at the high school and recreation levels, primarily at St. Pius parish

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where he led his team to achieve numerous State and New England CYO championships and

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coached countless All-State recipients and collegiate players; and

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     WHEREAS, For his tireless devotion to the community, Mr. Batastini was honored with

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myriad awards and distinctions over the course of his lifetime. In 2019, the Armand Batastini

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Recreation Center in Providence was named in his honor. He was also inducted into the New

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England Basketball Hall of Fame and the Sons of Italy Hall of Fame, was presented with the

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Institute for Arts and Humanities Award, the Hubert Humphrey Public Service Award, and was

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named CYO Man of the Year; and

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     WHEREAS, Over the years, Armand Batastini mentored thousands of young people,

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made significant contributions to the rights of seniors, and served the people of Rhode Island with

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commitment and honor, and he will be truly missed; 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 extends deepest condolences on the passing of the Honorable Armando Emilio Batastini,

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Jr.; 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 Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Batastini, Jr. and Family.

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LC005354

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