2020 -- S 2943

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LC005586

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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

THANKING THE HONORABLE SENATOR HAROLD M. METTS FOR THIRTY YEARS OF

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS A

MEMBER OF BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Gallo, and Conley

     Date Introduced: December 18, 2020

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Harold M. Metts was born in 1947. He is the husband of Dayus L. Metts

and together they were blessed with three children, Harold, Jr., Darren and Ja’de, as well as eight

grandchildren and one great-grandson. He graduated from Central High School, earned his

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Roger Williams University in 1970, his Social

Business Teacher Certification from Bryant College in 1975, and a Masters of Education-

Secondary Administration from Rhode Island College in 1983; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Metts is a retired former Assistant Principal for the Providence

School Department where he was widely admired for his tireless work ethic and his abiding

passion for making a positive difference in the lives of disadvantaged and at-risk youth; and

     WHEREAS, A man of deep faith and conviction, Senator Metts has devoted his life

towards making a difference in his community. He is a member of the Providence Branch of the

NAACP and the Urban League, serves on the Deacon Board for the Congdon Street Baptist

Church, and volunteers his time in prison ministry. In addition, Senator Metts served our nation

with honor and distinction as a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard from 1970 to

1976; and

     WHEREAS, For thirty years Senator Metts has represented his Providence constituents in

the Rhode Island General Assembly, first serving in the House of Representatives from 1984 to

1998, and as a member of the Rhode Island Senate since 2005. He currently serves as the Vice

Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and the Secretary of the Senate Committee on

Judiciary; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Mett's expertise on issues related to urban affairs, education and

equal justice have always been held in high regard by his fellow Senate colleagues. His efforts on

behalf of working families, the incarcerated, and all underprivileged and unrepresented

communities have included increasing access and funding for affordable housing, raising the

minimum wage multiple times, increasing funding for job training and for Providence's schools,

restoring funding for RIPTA's free and reduced bus fare program for the elderly and handicapped,

and championing the Madeline Walker Act to prohibit wrongful evictions; and

     WHEREAS, Working to break down the barriers for minority communities and end

systemic racism, Senator Metts championed the Police Relationship Act of 2015 that forced state

and local law enforcement agencies to report and take action on racial disparities in traffic stops

and other documented searches, and Ban the Box legislation that prohibits employers from

summarily dismissing job applicants because of their record. He also worked for expungement

reform, legislation to overhaul the state's occupational licensing statutes to ensure those with

criminal records have a second chance because in his words, "No one was ever sentenced to a life

in the unemployment line," and sponsored legislation to eliminate "Providence Plantations" from

the state's name; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Metts is a well-respected elder statesman of the Senate who is

deeply admired for his decorum and collegial manners and his presence in the Senate will be

deeply missed by his colleagues and the citizens of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby thanks Senator Harold

Metts for his thirty years of exemplary and meritorious service in the Rhode Island General

Assembly, and wishes him continued good health, happiness, and success in all his future

endeavors; 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 the Honorable Senator Harold M. Metts.

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LC005586

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