2021 -- H 6362

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LC002906

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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 KATHLEEN SULLIVAN CONNELL ON THE OCCASION OF HER

RETIREMENT AS THE RHODE ISLAND STATE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN

ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS (AARP) AND THANKING HER FOR A LIFETIME

OF DEDICATION TO HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC SERVICE IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Diaz, Slater, Ruggiero, Craven,
Caldwell, Edwards, Kennedy, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: May 25, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Kathleen Connell was born in the City of Newport. She attended St. Mary’s

School and St. Catherine Academy, and graduated magna cum laude from Salve Regina

University with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Continuing her education, she attained a Master’s

degree in International Relations from Salve Regina University; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Connell's initial foray in health care was with the Visiting Nurse

Service, working with the sick and elderly, followed by teaching health at a Newport middle

school and creating the school system's first health care curriculum; and

     WHEREAS, For sixteen years, Mrs. Connell served on the Middletown School

Committee and the Town Council. She subsequently served a term in the Rhode Island Senate,

and three terms as Rhode Island’s Secretary of State, where she championed the issues of voter

education and parity for women and is also credited with saving historical records in the Rhode

Island state capitol’s basement; and

     WHEREAS, In 1999, Mrs. Connell became the Rhode Island State Director of the

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) a position she has held for more than twenty

years. During her tenure as Director, she has worked on myriad issues concerning senior health

care, including long-term care, as well as better pay for nurses, improved nursing education, and

access to quality health care for all citizens; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Connell has also served as the coordinator of governmental relations at

Brown University’s Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory, vice chair of the

Democratic State Committee, was appointed to the Credentials Committee for the Democratic

National Convention in Atlanta in 1988, was a founding director and past president of Shake-A-

Leg, and served on the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse Association of Newport and on

the Board of Incorporators of Delta Dental. She was also the President of the Japan-America

Society/Black Ships Festival; and

     WHEREAS, Highly regarded throughout Rhode Island and the Health Care field, Mrs.

Connell has been honored with a panoply of awards including, a citation from the Consul General

of Japan; the John E. Fogarty Humanitarian Award; the Salve Regina University Alumna of the

Year Award; and the Juliette Low Award from the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. In 2010, she was

inducted into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame, and in 2013, was the recipient of the Isabelle Ahearn

O’Neill Award; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to her vast civic service, Mrs. Connell is the devoted mother of

Larry, Kelly, and Kathleen and was the wife of the late Gerald Connell; and

     WHEREAS, Kathleen Connell has served the people of Rhode Island with honor and

devotion. She has left an indelible mark on health care in our State and has fully distinguished

herself as a person worthy or our recognition, admiration, and gratitude; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

congratulates Kathleen Connell on her retirement and wishes her the very best health and

happiness; 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 Mrs. Kathleen Connell.

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