2021 -- H 6360

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LC002870

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND THANKING COURTNEY E. HAWKINS ON THE OCCASION OF HER

RETIREMENT AS DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN

SERVICES

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Slater, Ruggiero,
Caldwell, Craven, McEntee, Casimiro, and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: May 25, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In June of 2017, the people of Rhode Island became the recipients of

extensive leadership skills, vast experience, and unalloyed job dedication, when Courtney

Hawkins was named Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS); and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Hawkins is a native Rhode Islander. She attended South Kingstown

High School and earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of Rhode Island. While attending

URI, she interned at the Training School, and upon graduation, taught math at Ocean Tides

School. Continuing her education, she received her Masters of Science in Social Work from

Columbia University; and

     WHEREAS, During the infamous 9/11 events, Ms. Hawkins was interning at a social

service agency in downtown New York City, and was instrumental in the development and

implementation of the City's response to the attack and case management for the victims. She

subsequently returned to Rhode Island, and became the first Executive Director of Providence

Talks, and later, was named Chief Policy Officer to the Mayor of Providence; and

     WHEREAS, In the summer of 2017, Director Hawkins began her leadership of the

Department of Human Services, and is credited with stabilizing and enhancing the technology

system that is used to determine benefits for more than 300,000 Rhode Islanders annually; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Director Hawkins has assisted in efforts to stabilize social-

service programs and improve customers' experience with the Department, and most recently,

successfully advocated for more benefits, services and supports for individuals during the

pandemic. She was nationally recognized for the Department's efforts "to prevent COVID-19

spread in the State’s licensed child care programs while simultaneously improving access and the

quality of care given by providers across Rhode Island"; and

     WHEREAS, Upon her retirement as Director of DHS, Ms. Hawkins leaves a legacy of

commitment to the people of this state and to quality public health. Her efforts have had a

positive and rewarding impact on the lives of many people, and she is enormously worthy of our

emulation and acknowledgement; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby recognizes and thanks Director

Courtney Hawkins for her dedicated efforts on behalf of thousands of vulnerable individuals and

families. We moreover thank her for a job well done and extend our sincerest wishes for her

continued success and for all the very best that life has to offer; 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 Director Courtney E. Hawkins.

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LC002870

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