2023 -- H 5065

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LC000499

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF NANCY F. BINNS

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, Newberry, Chippendale, Rea, Kennedy, Diaz,
Shallcross Smith, Tanzi, Fogarty, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Nancy F.

Binns, a lifelong fifth generation Burrillville resident, and the beloved mother of Kelly Hunt,

Godmother of Anna Collins, the cherished lifelong friend of Kathy Leveille; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Binns was the daughter of the late Ruth and George Binns, and was the

sister of the late Bruce Binns and Carolyn Binns. She was a graduate of Burrillville High School

and Smith College and later returned to school at Yale University where she became one of the

first to graduate the University with a Physician Assistant degree. She subsequently worked at

Fogarty Memorial Hospital and two local medical practices, retiring after many years; and

     WHEREAS, Dedicated to the betterment of her beloved Town of Burrillville, Ms. Binns

served on the Town Council for twelve years, eight of which as Council President. During her

tenure on the Council she was acclaimed for her efforts on the renovation of the Jesse Smith

Library, the Levy Rink, the Callahan School, upgrades to the Burrillville Police Station, the

Pascoag Grammar redevelopment and the creation of a new school administration building. She

was also a leader in the development of numerous additional projects benefitting the Town and

for spearheading the Town’s Marriage Equality Resolution; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to her efforts with the Council, Ms. Binns was involved with

numerous altruistic endeavors including volunteering on the Burrillville Ambulance Association,

spending countless hours for the Between the Cracks charity variety shows, as well as being on

the Board of Directors for the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack program. She was also a member

of Berean Baptist Church and sang with the church choir as well as Carillon Women's Chorus;

and

     WHEREAS, Over the years, Ms. Binns earned the respect of just about everyone she

worked with and was honored with myriad awards and citations including the Chief Wallace F.

Lees Award, The RI Council of Churches Partner in Faith Award, The Blanchard McCutchen

Award from Post 88, and shared the honor of Citizen of the Year with her father, George; and

     WHEREAS, Always busy as a bee, Ms. Binns enjoyed many activities including RV

camping in Narragansett, Cape Cod and the Coast of Maine, and trips to Georgia. She was an

avid reader, and loved crossword puzzles, cooking, baking and gardening, and helping anyone in

need; and

     WHEREAS, Nancy Binns was “a person of the highest character and integrity” who

“dedicated her life to helping others” and she will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

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

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Nancy F. Binns; 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 Kelly Hunt, Kathy Leveille, and Anna Collins.

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