2022 -- H 7004

========

LC003509

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE

DENNIS J. ROBERTS, II

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Amore, Newberry, Kennedy,
Filippi, Knight, Fellela, P Morgan, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deepest sadness that this House has learned of the passing of

former Rhode Island Attorney General Dennis J. Roberts, II, the beloved husband of Sherry

Roberts; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts was born in Providence in 1941, the son of Thomas and

Florence Roberts. He came from a family devoted to public service, the law, and good

government. His father was a distinguished jurist who served on the Rhode Island Superior Court

and was later appointed the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from 1966 to 1976.

His mother was a teacher at the Henry Barnard School and his uncle, Dennis J. Roberts was

Mayor of Providence from 1941 to 1951, and Governor of Rhode Island from 1951 to 1959; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts graduated from Fordham University in 1963, and attained a law

degree from the Boston College Law School in 1966. Upon graduating from law school, he

embarked on a career that made a significant mark on the legal, political and public service

landscapes of Rhode Island. He served with distinction and integrity as the Attorney General of

Rhode Island from 1979 to 1985, and for more than fifty years as a lawyer in private practice; and

     WHEREAS, As a practicing attorney, Mr. Roberts was a member of the Rhode Island

and New York Bars, the United States Court of Appeals and the United States District Court. He

had a diverse practice and represented numerous famous clients including the National Football

League, Proctor & Gamble, and Microsoft. He was also proud to represent many average Rhode

Islanders and worked tirelessly to ensure that their rights were protected in the courthouse; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts was a firm believer in the need and rights of everyone to have

access to quality healthcare. He played a vital and instrumental role in the establishment of the

Rhode Island Group Health Association, the State’s first and largest HMO. In his practice, he

represented the Rhode Island State Nurses Association and the Rhode Island Association of

Nurse Anesthetists; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Roberts was also an advocate of consumer rights. He served for twelve

years as the attorney for the Rhode Island Consumers Council, and appeared frequently before the

Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to oppose or moderate intended rate increases for

electricity and natural gas suppliers; and

     WHEREAS, Thanks to Mr. Roberts support and strong belief in gender equality,

numerous women served in high positions within his administration as Attorney General, many of

whom went on to have distinguished careers within the Rhode Island Judiciary. In recognition of

his support for women’s equality, Mr. Roberts received the 2018 Florence K. Murray Award

from the Rhode Island Bar Association; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife Sherry, Mr. Roberts leaves behind his daughter, Jane

Roberts, his grandchildren, Liam, Shannon and Cian, and his brother, Tom Roberts. He was

predeceased by his son, Thomas H. Roberts II; now, therefore be it

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

expresses its deepest condolences to the Roberts Family on the passing of the Honorable Dennis

J. Roberts, II and honors his legacy of devoted and distinguished service to our State; 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. Sherry Roberts.

========

LC003509

========

LC003509 - Page 2 of 2