2021 -- H 6427

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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

CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE JOY HEARN ON HER RETIREMENT FROM

THE BARRINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AFTER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED AND

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

     Introduced By: Representatives Knight, Cassar, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi,
Fogarty, Slater, Ackerman, Kislak, and Kazarian

     Date Introduced: June 15, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Joy Hearn, in her exemplary public service career, has

served the Barrington Public Schools' community with tireless devotion and enthusiasm in

numerous positions including, serving as a Teacher Assistant at Hampden Meadows School,

Librarian Assistant at Barrington Middle School, and as Librarian Assistant at Barrington High

School for the past fifteen years; and

     WHEREAS, As Librarian Assistant, Ms. Hearn worked hard to ensure that every student

felt welcomed in the library and took a deep interest in their educational interests and the

trajectory of their lives. The needs of the students always came first and her passion for the

importance of libraries was admired by all of the students, faculty and parents in the Barrington

High School community. In recognition of this service, Ms. Hearn was recently recognized by

Barrington High School with the Eagle of the Month Award, for “her commitment to improving

the culture and learning environment for all Barrington High School students”; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Hearn also served with distinction and integrity as a member of the

Rhode Island House of Representatives representing District 66 and the citizens of Barrington

and East Providence. During her ten years at the State House, she was a forceful and vigorous

advocate for public education. She was a co-sponsor of the School Funding Formula and deeply

believed that every student in the State of Rhode Island deserved a quality education; and

     WHEREAS, In a volunteer capacity, Ms. Hearn served as the President of the Nayatt

School PTO, the Barrington Middle School PTO, and as the President of the Barrington

Education Foundation. Always concerned about those less fortunate than herself, Ms. Hearn also

donated her lunch hours volunteering at the Barrington Food Bank where she helped to unload

the food delivery truck and organize food drives to help families in need. Thanks to her

leadership, direction and guidance, Barrington High school consistently collected more than 500

pounds of food during the annual food drive; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Hearn was also a lifelong advocate of libraries and the crucial role they

play in student learning. She served as co-chairperson of the RI Karla Henry Commission on

Libraries, and thanks to her leadership, online databases for all Rhode Islanders attained statewide

funding. Ms. Hearn also served on the Barrington Public Library Board, and received the

Volunteer of the Year award from the Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates for her

important work rebuilding Barrington Middle School's Library collection; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Hearn believed that an informed person was a better citizen and to

further that quest, she passionately encouraged all students and teachers to read the Providence

Journal and the New York Times every day. She is a beloved champion for the Barrington Public

Schools who has had an enormously positive impact on Barrington students and on the wider

community; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates the Honorable Joy Hearn on her retirement from Barrington High School and the

Barrington Public Schools after many years of dedicated and distinguished service. We wish her a

most happy retirement and continued success in all her 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 Joy Hearn.

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