2023 -- H 6039

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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

HONORING ANTHONY CAPEZZA ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF

DISTINGUISHED AND HONORABLE PUBLIC SERVICE

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Hull,
Craven, Tanzi, Shanley, J. Lombardi, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Anthony Capezza is a man who has spent his life in service to others. He

has always been a devoted family man and served our nation with honor and valor with the

United States Army Airborne in the Vietnam War. He also served and protected the public as a

police officer and as the Director of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Capezza began his distinguished law enforcement career after returning

from his military service in Vietnam, when he joined the Cranston Police Department on

February 26, 1973. Officer Capezza was known and respected for his tireless work ethic and

diligence on the job during his 24 years with the Cranston Police Department. He retired from the

Department on January 6, 1996, with the rank of Sergeant Detective; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly after retiring as a police officer, Mr. Capezza became the national

representative for the local International Brotherhood of Police Officers, (IBPO) a position he

held until 2002, when he was named the State Director of the IBPO and served as its main

lobbyist for the State of Rhode Island. He retired from the Director’s position on February 28,

2021, but continued to lobby as a state contractor for the police union; and

     WHEREAS, Of Mr. Capezza’s many accomplishments, he was most proud of his support

for legislation allowing police officers to serve in towns in which they did not reside, support for

property tax relief in municipalities, and legislation that would waive the property tax for the

surviving spouse of an officer killed in the line of duty. He also supported 2021 legislation that

would have allowed municipalities to treat canines injured on duty with EMT/transportation

services; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Capezza is the devoted husband of Colleen Capezza, the father of

Anthony, Tina and Anne, and the proud grandfather of Cassie, Trina and Lexie; now, therefore be

it

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

honors Anthony Capezza on his retirement after fifty years of distinguished public service and

thanks him for all he has done to protect the safety and well-being of our State’s police officers

and citizenry. We furthermore wish him good health and continued success in all his 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 Mr. Anthony Capezza.

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