2023 -- H 6266

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LC002790

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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 LAWRENCE VERRIA ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FORTY YEARS OF

DEDICATED SERVICE EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF RHODE

ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Craven, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Kennedy, Edwards, Ajello, Tanzi, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: April 06, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, To the very good fortune of many a North Kingstown student, Lawrence

Verria, better known as “Larry” to his many friends, followed his heart and began on the path to a

career in education. He attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and his Master’s degree in

Educational Leadership and Administration from Rhode Island College; and

     WHEREAS, In 1983, Mr. Verria began his career in education as an English teacher with

the Warren School Department and in 1985, found his niche in the Social Studies Department at

North Kingstown High School (NKHS); and

     WHEREAS, Over the course of his thirty-eight years at NKHS, Mr. Verria gained the

respect of both his students and colleagues and ultimately earned the position of Social Studies

Department Chair; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his teaching, Mr. Verria authored a book “The Kissing

Sailor”, which was published by the United States Naval Institute Press, and tells the true story

behind the famous kissing sailor photo from “V-J Day” in 1945; and

     WHEREAS, Also active in the community, Mr. Verria was a soccer coach for the Bristol

Youth Soccer League for nine years, managed the East Bay Fast Pitch Girls Softball League for

eleven years, and was a spokesperson for the Bristol Playground Restoration Committee; and

     WHEREAS, Extraordinary people never retire, they just begin a new chapter of their

lives. Such is the case with Larry Verria who, by virtue of his dedication to young people and his

many accomplishments, serves as a model for all our educational leaders; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates and thanks Lawrence Verria for his forty years educating Rhode Island’s young

people. We moreover wish him good health and much happiness during his well-earned

retirement; 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 Lawrence Verria.

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