2020 -- S 2944

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LC005588

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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 SENATOR WILLIAM J. CONLEY FOR HIS EIGHT YEARS OF

DISTINGUISHED AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

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

     Date Introduced: December 18, 2020

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, William J. Conley, Jr., was born in 1953. He graduated Magna Cum Laude

from Boston College and attained his Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University’s Columbus

School of Law. Since 1982, he has maintained a flourishing legal practice as the Principal

Attorney in the law office of William J. Conley, Jr.; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Conley has always been very active in civic affairs and has

continually volunteered his services to institutions that assist disadvantaged members of our

society. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyer Program and

serves on the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Legal Services Corporation; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Conley began his distinguished career in public service when he

was elected in 2010 as an at-large member of the East Providence City Council. In 2012, he was

elected to Rhode Island Senate District 18 representing his constituency in the Cities of East

Providence and Pawtucket; and

     WHEREAS, In 2017, Senator Conley was chosen to serve as Chairman of the Senate

Committee on Finance. His uncommon ability to tackle the details and research of complicated

issues and his facility to "harness the expertise" of his fellow colleagues by holding joint

committee meetings with other committees on budget matters, along with his vast acumen on

economic and fiscal issues, has helped Rhode Island to navigate the often choppy waters of an

economy that can be negatively affected in an instant by national and international circumstances;

and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Senator Conley stood bravely for marriage equality because he

felt it was right and just, and can also list the repeal of the sales tax on kegs among his most

important accomplishments; and

     WHEREAS, As a longtime baseball fan and a member of the Pawtucket delegation,

Senator Conley was deeply saddened by the defeat of the legislation that would have kept the

PawSox in Pawtucket, although the "transparent, accessible, and deliberative" hearings he held on

the PawSox issue have become a gold standard and were similarly utilized on hearings to extend

the state's lottery contract with IGT and Twin River; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Conley's calm and steady leadership has earned him the respect and

amity of all his colleagues and he will be sorely missed at the State House; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends heartfelt

thanks to Senator Conley for his eight years of exemplary and distinguished service to the citizens

of Rhode Island and wish him continued 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 William J. Conley, Jr.

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LC005588

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