2023 -- H 6520

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LC003177

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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 ARMAND E. SABITONI ON HIS RETIREMENT AS GENERAL SECRETARY-

TREASURER AFTER NEARLY TWENTY-TWO YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO

THE LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Corvese, Chippendale,
Kazarian, McNamara, Kennedy, Cardillo, Solomon, and J. Brien

     Date Introduced: June 13, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Armand E. Sabitoni, the General Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers'

International Union of North America (LIUNA) and the organization's New England Regional

Manager retired in April of 2023, after nearly twenty-two years of dedicated and commendable

service; and

     WHEREAS, A skillful leader, tough and unafraid, and always an advocate for members'

rights, benefits, and working conditions, Mr. Sabitoni is a second-generation laborer, who began

his career in general construction as a laborer and member of Laborers' Local 271, Providence;

and

     WHEREAS, During his years with Local 271, Mr. Sabitoni also attended the University

of Rhode Island and subsequently earned his law degree from the New England School of Law in

Boston; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Sabitoni's work experience together with his law degree provided him

with the foundation and determination to effectively rise through the ranks, serving as Auditor,

Vice President, and President of Local 271, followed by Business Manager and Secretary-

Treasurer of the Rhode Island Laborers' District Council, to LIUNA Vice President and New

England Regional Manager, and Assistant to the General President, and ultimately on May 1,

2001, as General Secretary-Treasurer, LIUNA's second highest ranking office, where he has lead

LIUNA's more than 500,000 members into a new era of authority and influence; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Mr. Sabitoni has received numerous awards

recognizing his outstanding leadership and his impact on bettering the quality of life for working

families. He is also credited with the Union's unprecedented growth in numbers and with the

substantial increase in the union's assets and comprehensive rights for safer job sites for the men

and women of LIUNA; and

     WHEREAS, Providing exemplary leadership on a broad range of issues and initiatives,

Mr. Sabitoni spearheaded the union's efforts to strengthen Laborers' training programs and

instituted apprenticeship positions to advance Laborers' careers and respond to the growing

requirements of the industry. He also helped to establish the union's first construction charter

school for high school students, which earned him a “Newsmaker of the Year” title from

Engineering News Record magazine in 2003; and

     WHEREAS, Widely-admired and greatly influential in both Rhode Island and across the

country, Mr. Sabitoni has been strongly committed to the principle of democracy, using the

power and political impact of the union in order to advance the core values and objectives

beneficial to the union's membership. To the good fortune of union membership, he will continue

to serve as New England Regional Manager, representing members across the six New England

states, as well as most of New York State; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to serving as LIUNA's General Secretary-Treasurer, Mr.

Sabitoni chairs the national Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America, the national

Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund, the national LIUNA Health and

Welfare Fund, and the Service Contract Education of Training Trust Fund, and LIUNA's health

and safety, pension and investment funds; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Sabitoni has consistently demonstrated that no amount of effort is too

great to put forth in accomplishing his goals. He has been of immeasurable benefit to the

members of the Laborers' International Union of North America, the people of the State of Rhode

Island, and to all those who have had the good fortune to work by his side; now, therefore be it

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

honors and thanks Armand Sabitoni whose fighting spirit and determination have paved the way

for a brighter future for the membership of the Laborers' International Union of North America

and our State. We furthermore wish him good health, fulfillment and continued success in all his

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. Armand E. Sabitoni.

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LC003177

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