State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Journal of the Senate
JANUARY SESSION of the General Assembly begun and held at the State House in the City of Providence on Tuesday, the second day of January in the year of Our Lord two thousand and one.
| Volume 128, No. 1 |
Tuesday, January 2, 2001 |
First Day |
The Honorable Senate is called to order at 6:04 o'clock P.M., by His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, Charles J. Fogarty, on the first Tuesday in January, A.D. 2001 (being the first Tuesday of the Month).
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, presents the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, Attorney General.
As provided in Article III of the Constitution, the roll of the Senate, pursuant to Law, is read by the Honorable Attorney General as follows:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
ROOM 220, STATE HOUSE
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903-1105
JAMES R. LANGEVIN
Secretary of State
I, James R. Langevin, Secretary of State, HEREBY CERTIFY the following is the list of members elected to the Senate in the General Assembly, in accordance with the certificate of election filed in this office by the Board of Elections on the Seventeenth day of November AD 2000, as provided by Section 22-3-13 of the General Laws of 1956.
Senators District
Dennis L. Algiere 26
Stephen D. Alves 19
Roger Badeau 32
David E. Bates 44
Leo R. Blais 21
Kevin A. Breene 41
Frank T. Caprio 8
John A. Celona 36
J. Clement Cicilline 50
Thomas R. Coderre 40
Daniel P. Connors 33
Marc A. Cote 31
Michael J. Damiani 43
Daniel DaPonte 42
James M. Donelan 15
William Enos 47
Walter S. Felag 46
Paul W. Fogarty 27
Hanna M. Gallo 12
Aram G. Garabedian 14
June N. Gibbs 48
Maryellen Goodwin 1
Catherine E. Graziano 5
Brian M. Hunter 34
David V. Igliozzi 7
William V. Irons 39
Daniel J. Issa 35
Thomas J. Izzo 13
Robert T. Kells 10
Paul S. Kelly 30
J. Michael Lenihan 22
John F. McBurney 38
Michael J. McCaffrey 16
Patrick T. McDonald 24
Joseph A. Montalbano 37
M. Teresa Paiva-Weed 49
Mary A. Parella 45
Rhoda E.Perry 3
Joseph M. Polisena 28
Leonidas P. Raptakis 20
John C. Revens 18
Elizabeth H. Roberts 11
John M. Roney 2
Dominick J. Ruggerio 4
James C. Sheehan 23
V. Susan Sosnowski 6
John J. Tassoni 29
William A. Walaska 17
Donna M. Walsh 25
Charles D. Walton 9
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the State of Rhode Island on this second day of January, AD 2001.
JAMES R. LANGEVIN
Secretary of State
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
OATH
The Oath of Office is administered to the foregoing Senators-elect by the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, Attorney General.
ROLL
The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 49 Senators present and 1 Senator absent as follows:
PRESENT 49: Senators Algiere, Alves, Badeau, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Cicilline, Coderre, Connors, Cote, Damiani, DaPonte, Donelan, Enos, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Garabedian, Gibbs, Goodwin, Graziano, Hunter, Igliozzi, Irons, Issa, Izzo, Kells, Kelly, lenihan, McBurney, McDonald, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Roney, Ruggerio, Sheehan, SosnowsKi, Tassoni, Walaska, Walsh, Walton.
ABSENT - 1: Senator McCaffrey.
INVOCATION
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, presents the Most Reverend Robert McManus, Auxiliary Bishop of Providence, to deliver the invocation.
(See Appendix for Invocation)
PRESENTATION OF COLORS
The Presentation of Colors is performed by
members of the Rhode Island National Guard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, presents Senator McBurney, the Dean of the Senate, to lead the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
The National Anthem is performed by Ralph Bruno, Marissa Beatini and William Beatini, members of the Wanskuck Boys and Girls Club.
ELECTION OF
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
Senate Majority Leader Irons nominates Senator John C. Revens, Jr. as President Pro Tempore of the Senate for the 2001 and 2002 Sessions.
The nomination is seconded by Senator Donelan.
There being no counter nominations, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, declares nominations closed and Senator John C. Revens, Jr. is elected President Pro Tempore, by unanimous consent, upon a voice vote.
ELECTION OF
DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
Senate Majority Leader Irons nominates Senator Rhoda E. Perry as Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate for the 2001 and 2002 Sessions.
The nomination is seconded by Senators Connors and Cicilline.
There being no counter nominations, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, declares nominations closed and Senator Rhode E. Perry is elected Deputy President Pro Tempore, by unanimous consent, upon a voice vote.
ELECTION OF
THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE
Senator Coderre nominates Raymond T. Hoyas, Jr. of Pawtucket as Secretary of the Senate for the 2001 and 2002 Sessions.
The nomination is seconded by Senators Algiere and Montalbano.
There being no counter nominations, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, declares nominations closed and Raymond T. Hoyas, Jr. of Pawtucket is elected Secretary of the Senate for the 2001 and 2002 Sessions, by unanimous consent, upon a voice vote.
ELECTION OF READING CLERK
Senator DaPonte nominates John S. Baxter, Jr. of Pawtucket as Reading Clerk for the 2001 and 2002 Sessions.
The nomination is seconded by Senators Algiere and Fogarty.
There being no counter nominations, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, declares nominations closed and John S. Baxter, Jr. of Pawtucket is elected Reading Clerk for the 2001 and 2002 Sessions, by unanimous consent, upon a voice vote.
OATH
The Oath of Office is administered to the Secretary of the Senate-elect, Raymond T. Hoyas, Jr., by the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, Attorney General.
The Oath of Office is administered to the Reading Clerk-elect, John S. Baxter, Jr., by the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, Attorney General.
COMMUNICATIONS
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, presents the following communications:
SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
34 SWEETBRIAR LANE
VEST WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND 02893
January 2, 2001
The Honorable Charles J. Fogarty
Lieutenant Governor
116 State House
Providence, RI 02903
Dear Lieutenant Governor Fogarty:
This is to inform you that the Senate Democratic Caucus met on the 9th of November 2000 and by majority vote, elected William V. Irons to the position of Senate Majority Leader for the 2001-2002 Senate Session.
Personal regards,
STEPHEN ALVES
Chairman
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
OFFICE OF THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER
ROOM 120 STATE HOUSE
PROVIDENCE
02903
DENNIS L. ALGIERE
Minority Leader
401-222-2708
January 2, 2001
The Honorable Charles J. Fogarty
President of the Senate
Rhode Island Senate Chamber
StateHouse
Providence, RI 02903
Dear Mr. President:
I have the honor to inform you that the Senate Republican Caucus met on the 1st day of December, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. in Room 142 of the State House and elected the Senate Minority Leader, the Senate Assistant Minority Leader, and the Senate Minority Whip. They are as follows:
Dennis L. Algiere, Senate Minority Leader
Leo R. Blais, Senate Assistant Minority Leader
Kevin A. Breene, Senate Minority Whip
Respectfully yours,
DENNIS L. ALGIERE
Senate Minority Leader
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
160 SOUTH MAIN STREET,
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903
(401) 274-4400
TDD (401) 453-0140
SHELDON WHITEHOUSE
Attorney General
January 2, 2001
To the Honorable, The Senate:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as Secretary of the Senate for the years 2001 and 2002 to Raymond T. Hoyas, Jr., of Pawtucket.
Respectfully yours,
SHELDON WHITEHOUSE
Attorney General
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
150 SOUTH MAIN STREET. PROVIDENCE. RI 02903
(401) 27~400
TDD (401) 4630410
SHELDON WHITEHOUSE
Attorney General
January 2, 2001
To the Honorable, The Senate:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as Reading Clerk for the years 2001 and 2002 to John S. Baxter, Jr., of Pawtucket.
Respectfully yours,
SHELDON WHITEHOUSE
Attorney General
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
SENATE ADDRESS
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, Charles J. Fogarty, addresses the Senate.
Also:
The Honorable William V. Irons, Senate Majority Leader, addresses the Senate.
(See Appendix for remarks)
Also:
The Honorable Dennis L. Algiere, Senate Minority Leader, addresses the Senate.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Upon suggestion of Senator Bates, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Parella, her father Salvatore Parella, her aunt Jennie Parella, her niece Alyssa Parella, who is visiting from California, her brother, the Honorable Joseph Parella, Town Administrator of Bristol, her sister-in-law, Gail Parella and her newest nephew, Peter,Parella.
Upon suggestion of Senator Montalbano, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable A. Ralph Mollis, Mayor of the Town of North Providence, John Fleming, Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Robert Ricci, Senate Judiciary Committee Clerk, Benoit Fisette, Ralph Bruno and Bob Kando.
Upon suggestion of Senator Montalbano, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Barbara Santilli, very special friend of Senator Ruggerio.
Upon suggestion of Senator Montalbano, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber John and Elsie Murphy, in-laws of Senator Celona.
Upon suggestion of Senator Sosnowski, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Henry Walsh, husband of Senator Walsh and Town Moderator of Charlestown.
Upon suggestion of Senator Goodwin, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Celona, his wife Karleen Celona, and sons John Celona, Jr., and Christopher Celona.
Upon suggestion of Senator Goodwin, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Susan Lennon, Lincoln Lennon, Patricia McLaughlin and Chris Albert.
Upon suggestion of Senator Algiere, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber members of Senator Breene's family, his wife Erin Breene, mother Gail Breene Delmonico, sister Karen Zarlenga, niece Allison Zarlenga and Marge Gartleman, Chairwoman of the West Greenwich Republican Town Committee.
Upon suggestion of Senator Celona~ and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Goodwin, her father former Senator Tom Goodwin, her mother Patricia Goodwin, and her sisters Sheila and Maureen Goodwin.
Upon suggestion of Senator Celona, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Linda Montalbano, wife of Senator Montalbano, the Honorable Anthony Marciano, former State Senator from North Providence, and Fred Marzilli.
Upon suggestion of Senator Walsh, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Michael Sosnowski, husband of Senator Sosnowski.
Upon suggestion of Senator Walsh, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Susan and Russell Deragon of Richmond.
Upon suggestion of Senator Coderre, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Paul Wildenhain, Pawtucket City Councilor, Cathy Childs, Ed Hughes, Patricia Hughes, Bart Wildenhain, Pete Gagnon and Claire Gagnon.
Upon suggestion of Senator Coderre, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber family members of Senator Caprio, his father, the Honorable Frank Caprio, Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court and the Honorable David Caprio, State Representative from Narragansett.
Upon suggestion of Senator Garabedian, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber his wife, Jane S. Garabedian, his son Gary Bliss Garabedian, his daughter Lisa Beth Regan, his daughter-in-law Laurie Serrechia Garabedian, his granddaughter Diandra Garabedian, and grandson Ross Bliss Garabedian.
Upon suggestion of Senator Caprio, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber family members of Senator Coderre, his mother, the Honorable Elaine A. coderre, State Representative from Pawtucket, and his father, Raymond Coderre.
Upon suggestion of Senator Caprio, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber his wife Gabriella Caprio, his daughter Ashley and son Frank II, his mother-in-law Amalia DiGiacinto, his niece Marina Solda and nephew Alessandro Solda.
Upon suggestion of Senator Blais, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Ann Bates, wife of Senator Bates.
Upon suggestion of Senator Blais, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Leigh Algiere, wife of Senator Algiere.
Upon suggestion of Senator Connors, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber his aunt and uncle, Barbara and Brian Kiernan and aunt, Joan LaPlante.
Upon suggestion of Senator Connors, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator DaPonte, his parents Manuel and Adrianne DaPonte, brother Jason DaPonte and dear friend Rebecca Pazienza.
Upon suggestion of Senator Izzo, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Roberts, her husband, Tom Roberts, her mother and stepfather, Virginia and Ewan Fletcher, her brother and sister-in-law, former Attorney General Dennis J. Roberts and Sherry Roberts, and her cousin, Maureen McCabe.
Upon suggestion of Senator Alves, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Walaska, his wife Marsha Walaska, sister Anne Riccitelli, brother-in-law Mike Riccitelli, "close" friend Rosanne Grund, son Bill Walaska, Jr., daughter-in-law Christine Walaska and son Michael Walaska.
Upon suggestion of Senator Alves, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Helen Mathieu, former State
Senator, the Honorable Patricia Serpa, School Committee Member, Joseph Serpa, Fr. James Capaverdi, Dona LeBeouf and The Honorable John Flynn, School Committee Member.
Upon suggestion of Senator Roney, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber his cousin Susan DeHewogh.
Upon suggestion of Senator Gallo, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Fogarty, his wife Nancy Fogarty, sons Patrick, Brendan and Daniel, mother Martha, cousin John Zieglymayer, Austin Coyne and Carolyn Riordan.
Upon suggestion of Senator Ruggerio, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator McBurney, his wife, Cheryl V. McBurney, daughter Mackenzie Catherine McBurney, sons Patrick J. McBurney and Joseph J. McBurney, who serves as his campaign manager, and a straight A student who was selected to be the Archdiocese Scholar to Catholic University from Rhode Island, nominated by the Bishop of Providence.
Upon suggestion of Senator Cicilline, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family and friends of Senator Paiva Weed, her husband Mark S. Weed, Kathleen Monticome Silvia, City Clerk of Newport, and the Honorable Robert J. McKenna, former Mayor of Newport and former State Senator.
Upon suggestion of Senator Lenihan, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Raptakis, wife Donna Raptakis, daughter Alexandra, son Nicholas, father- and mother-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Donald Degidio, Sr., sister Marylin Swierk and brother-in-law Alan Swierk.
Upon suggestion of Senator Walton, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Felag, Elaine Felag, Jake Felag, Zeke Felag, Mark Felag, Mary Johns and Jayne Balasco
Upon suggestion of Senator Igliozzi, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family and friends of Senator Tassoni, Carol Placella, his fiancee, Jennifer Tassoni, his daughter, Marion Comer, his mother-in-law-to-be, John and Janet Tassoni, his Mom and Dad, Mike Tassoni, his brother, David Tassoni and Brenda, his brother and sister-in-law, Judi and Mike Slader, his sister and brother-in-law, Nichole and Shayna Slader, his nieces, David and Beth Tassoni, his cousins, Julie Tadino, his sister-in-law, David and Jessica Lovett, his brother-in-law and niece, Maggie Delesto, his sister-in-law and Aunt Anna Mello.
Upon suggestion of Senator Paiva Weed, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Perry, Pam Bailey, her sister, Alex Perry, her son and Marge Solomon Day.
Upon suggestion of Senator Graziano, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator McDonald, Kristen McDonald, his wife and their children Kelsey, Patrick and Dierdre McDonald.
Upon suggestion of Senator Graziano, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Igliozzi, his father Vincent Igliozzi, his wife Nina Ricci Igliozzi, sons David Thomas Igliozzi and Alexander Vincent Igliozzi, his sister Angelica Iannitti, his brother John J. Igliozzi, his father-in-law Thomas P. Ricci, his mother-in-law Marie Ricci, and friend Michael DiRaimo.
Upon suggestion of Senator Polisena, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Damiani, his wife Sharlene Damiani, son Michael Damiani, daughters Jennifer and Christine Damiani and Uncle Mandy.
Upon suggestion of Senator Polisena, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Ernie Pitochelli, John Turchetti, Lt. David Savastano and Capt. Richard Matarese.
Upon suggestion of Senator McDonald, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Graziano, Louis W. Carol, Paul Graziano, Mary Lou Pontarelli, Sara Crandall and Michael Pontarelli, Judge Catherine Graziano and John Ryan.
Upon suggestion of Senator Hunter, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Issa, his wife Claire, his son Adam, and his mother Loorese Issa.
Upon suggestion of Senator Cote, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Lenihan, his wife of 32 years, Patricia, his daughter Meghan and his new son-in-law Todd Magiera.
Upon suggestion of Senator Issa, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Hunter, Roberta Hunter, his wife, Kevin Hunter, his son, Amanda Hunter, his daughter, Rose Hunter, his mother, Harry Hunter, his father, and Lillian Peloquin, his mother-in-law.
Upon suggestion of Senator Issa, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Paul Pederzani, former State Senator.
Upon suggestion of Senator Raptakis, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Depsina Metakos and Paul Annarumo
Upon suggestion of Senator Damiani, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Polisena, his parents Joseph Polisena and Julie Polisena, son Joseph Jr. and wife Lucille Polisena.
Upon suggestion of Senator Damiani, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Tony Bochiclio "Chico", Tony Almeida, Candy Salvo, the Honorable Millie Morris, School Committee Member, Mary-Ann Duval and her daughter Jessie Duval and special friend John Lewis.
Upon suggestion of Senator Kells, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Walton, Leslie Walton, his wife, and son Chad.
Upon suggestion of Senator Fogarty, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Gallo, her husband Russell, daughters Julie and Laura, mother Emilie Kiggins, sister Karen Kiggins and Vinny Yakavonis, father-in-law John Gallo, Richard and Ann Carlson and Anthony and Nancy Scorpio.
Upon suggestion of Senator DaPonte, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Connors, his mother Charlene C. Connors, brother Michael P. Connors, and father Paul Connors.
Upon suggestion of Senator DaPonte, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Anthony Almeida, former East Providence Councilman, the Honorable Mildred Morris, East Providence School Committeewoman, and the Honorable John L. Lewis, former State Representative.
Upon suggestion of Senator Walaska, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Alves, his wife Debra Alves, son William, daughter Kaitlyn, mother Ann Alves, father former Representative William Alves and brother Chuck Alves.
Upon suggestion of Senator Sheehan, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber her mother Sandra Behr, close friend Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Spinn, her brothers Bill and David, her uncle Jim and Linda Sheehan, her stepmother Ann Marie Sheehan, her grandmother Eva Milazzo, her mother's uncle Bill Mancini, Sandy's parents Angelo and Gilda Spinn, her good friends Mariann LaFazia and friend Marion, her good friend former Senator Honorable Paul Pederzani, her friend David LeDoux, and her good friend and colleague Gerry Cavinian.
Upon suggestion of Senator Breene, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Blais, his mother Cecile L. Blais, his wife Beverly A. Blais, and their children Jeremy L. Blais and Leanne G. Blais.
Upon suggestion of Senator Coderre, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber his sister Karen Coderre, Calvin Barber, Darlene Barber and Retha Barber.
Upon suggestion of Senator DaPonte, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Majority Leader Irons, his wife Mary Irons, daughter Joan Cronin, son-in-law Patrick Cronin, grandchildren Caroline Cronin and Meredith Cronin, daughter Sarah Irons, daughter Katie Irons and her friend Brad Sudol, brother-in-law Joseph Durand and his wife Beth and their daughters Kelsey and Nicole, sister-in-law Barbara Traverse and her husband Stan Traverse, sister Evelyn Bain and step-sister Deborah Donald.
NEW BUSINESS
Senators Connors, Irons, Coderre, DaPonte, Celona and others present (01-5 1) Senate Resolution adopting the Rules of the Senate for the years 2001 and 2002.
Senator Connors requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.
Unanimous consent for immediate consideration is granted.
Senator Connors moves passage, seconded by Senators Coderre, DaPonte and others.
The Resolution is read and passed, upon a roll call vote with 45 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:
YEAS - 45: Senators Algiere, Alves, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Cicilline, Coderre, Connors, Cote, Damiani, DaPonte, Donelan, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Garabedian, Gibbs, Goodwin, Graziano, Hunter, Irons, Issa, Izzo, Kells, Kelly, Lenihan, McBurney, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Roney, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska, Walsh, Walton.
NAYS -0.
BENEDICTION
His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, presents the Reverend Marlowe V. N. Washington, Pastor, Allen A.M.E. Church, Providence, to deliver the Benediction.
(See Appendix for Benediction)
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
America the Beautiful is performed by Ralph Bruno, Marissa Beatini and William Beatini, members of the Wanskuck Boys and Girls Club.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion of Senator Majority Leader Irons, seconded by Senator Algiere, the Senate adjourns at 7:34 o'clock P.M.
RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR. Secretary of the Senate
Appendix
INVOCATION
MOST REVEREND ROBERT McMANUS AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PROVIDENCE
Loving God, You have called us each by name and we are Yours for time and eternity. Today we ask You to bless us, our work, our families and loved ones as we begin this new year.
We ask, You to bless in a particular way our state legislators. Give them Your wisdom and guidance as they represent and serve all the people of the state of Rhode Island. May our Senators be examples of cooperation and mutual respect in their deliberations. May they discharge their duties with honesty and ability and always seek to build a just and compassionate society where families may thrive, the poor may have their hope fulfilled, and the sick, the aged, and that the unborn may be treated with dignity which come from You their Creator.
Strengthen our elected officials by the gift of Your spirit to carry out their mission of building a civilization whose foundations are peace, justice and truth. Despite our failures, teach us to recognize that our advantages are Your blessings to be shared with others. Help us all to overcome violence and discord by promoting harmony and peace in our homes, our community and in the world.
Loving God, bless all the people of Rhode Island. Help us to exercise the justice that You desire, and to be ever generous in our commitment and service to those in need. Keep us always in Your bountiful care both now and forever. Amen.
Appendix
REMARKS
WILLIAM V. IRONS
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
Good evening, Bishop McManus, Reverend Washington, Lieutenant Governor Fogarty, Attorney General Whitehouse, my colleagues in the Senate, family members, campaign workers, and friends, welcome to the Rhode Island Senate swearing in for the 2001-2002 administration. This is a biennial Rhode Island celebration, recognizing hard fought elections and the important decision of our citizens as to who will represent them in the many important decisions to come in this session of the Rhode Island Senate.
Tonight we have experienced a Rhode Island accomplishment in the form of our young singers from Wanskuck Boys and Girls Club. Mary and I first heard this wonderful young trio at the Annual Meeting of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence and we are very pleased they could join us this evening to provide an example of the outstanding young people that are a part of Rhode Island.
To our new colleagues:
Senator Hunter from Lincoln/Cumberland
Senator Garabedian from Cranston/West Warwick
Senator Sheehan from North Kingstown Senator Tassoni from Scituate
Senator Polisena from Johnston
Welcome two of you are veterans of the legislature and know the experience before them to the three new members, I know I speak for all of your Senate colleagues when I say that we look forward to working with you on the people's business.
As you all return to the Chamber this evening you will soon see that a lot of renovation work has been going on since November 7th to increase the working space for the members of this chamber. Some of this work will not be finished for several more weeks but it is our goal, soon to be achieved, that all will have a space in this building, with secretarial services and the needed materials to properly conduct the business of your office. Our constituents and others we work with on legislative matters deserve to be able to meet in as proper a setting as this building allows. We will continue to work on improving these circumstances over the next two years.
We face many major challenges over the next two years but none more unique than the elimination of 12 Senate Districts in response to the constitutional referendum of our citizens. This process will be conducted, with full participation by all of our citizenry and I have all confidence we will achieve a result that will fairly represent our electorate. I look to your help in achieving this outcome.
Tomorrow, as is tradition, I will send to the Lieutenant Governor, as President of the Senate, the listing of the leadership structure for the coming session.
I have spent countless hours meeting you, my colleagues and in several cases multiple meetings to develop a structure of leadership that legitimately recognizes the outcome of the leadership contest, but equally as important and, I believe, in a unique moment in this process, I have included within the leadership structure much of the experience of the leadership of the past.
The work ahead is exciting, challenging and in some instances, daunting but we must and we will face these opportunities for our state and succeed.
We will succeed in completing this work because of the great diversity of experience and representation that we as elected individuals bring to this arena. We are farmers, plumbers, policemen and retirees. We have educators among our ranks and people from the world of finance. Small business and labor are represented here as they should be and social advocates as well. There are leaders of our legal community. We are truly a microcosm of our beautiful population in this wonderfully unique piece of geography. We represent small rural communities and large metropolitan centers, sophisticated settings such as our historic international city by the sea, Newport, and our newly recognized renaissance gem, our capitol city of Providence. We surely can be proud of our state and it is my hope we are all energized to expand its horizons to even greater potentials.
With Mary and me tonight are our 4 year old granddaughter, Caroline Mary Cronin and her 18 month old sister, Meredith Claire. I know many of you have your families here also. These children represent all the children of our state whose future lives depend upon us to complete the important work and make the decisions in health care, education, economic development and yes, Eworld activity to mention just a few areas. These decisions, properly made, will provide the next generation with a place to live, work, and raise their families that is even better than we have at the moment. Thomas Jefferson, a great visionary leader, was inspired by "the dreams of the future rather than the history of the past." While our state has a rich history of which we should all be proud, I believe following Jefferson's principle in making the dreams of the future a reality is the mission we must pursue.
We cannot achieve the utmost of outcomes unless we have an institution focused on civil discourse. Rhode Island was developed on the foundation of religious liberty. The King Charles II Charter of 1663 (that sits outside this chamber) allowed and, I believe, challenged Rhode Island "to hold forth a lively experiment that a flourishing and civil state may stand..." Our overriding principle of legislative conduct, individually and collectively, should be a Senate accomplishing major initiatives in a manner our 1,048,319 citizens will benefit from and be proud of.
Last week the results of the census were released and the naysayers who predicted a reduction in our population were proven wrong. We now realize more people are living in our Ocean State than were a decade ago and for many of us in this chamber that should come as no surprise.
I believe that the many accomplishments of the last decade the Fidelity commitment, the CVS expansion, the retention of American Power Conversion, and recently the location of Immunex in East Greenwich, just to name a few of the employment success along with the Bruce Sundlun Terminal, the Providence Place Mall, Waterplace Park and so much more have drawn this growth in population and retained others who in the past might have left. These tangible signs of a state, its government, its labor community and the private sector, working in concert to make this wonderful state of ours an even better place to build businesses, create jobs, raise families, develop careers and enjoy a physical environment unique in beauty and convenience of lifestyle gives hope for the future that previously our citizens did not possess.
There are many veterans in this chamber who have worked diligently to build a better Rhode Island and we have great faith in the future of our state.
It is this legacy we were entrusted with this evening as we took our oath of office.
It is now our job for the next 24 months to build a better, more caring, more prosperous Rhode Island to compete in this new millennium begun just yesterday.
As the Majority Leader, I know I speak for the entire Senate leadership team, when I say we look forward to playing our roles in a manner that allows for the best results from your labors as Rhode Island Senators.
Thank You.
Appendix
BENEDICTION
REVEREND MARLOWE V.N. WASHINGTON PASTOR, ALLEN A.M.E. CHURCH,
PROVIDENCE
Senators , you cannot know God by explanation, only by revelation. And hearing from God doesn't depend on age or even seniority. Hearing from God depends on your relationship you have with God. I hope each one of you great Senators of this great state have such a personal and deep relationship with God that you can discern God's will and operate under God's power. And if by some chance, you didn't remember anything I'd previously said, then remember this pastoral advice. Never give authority without accountability.
Let us pray, Great God of Heaven, who from your throne, look down upon us we dwell upon earth, we humbly ask you to bless your man servant, William V. Irons, Senate Majority Leader and the great many men and women who you called to serve as Senators. Help us to never limit ourselves. Because when we limit ourselves, we limit you. And when we limit you, then we ultimately limit ourselves. We pray that you likewise bless all who are set in authority over us, that they may be dedicated to the advancement of your glory and your peace. Help these great leaders dear Lord to never forget the bridge that got them here and the people to whom they serve.
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