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 first day of January in the year of Our Lord two thousand and two.
Volume 129, No. 1 Tuesday, January 1, 2002 First Day


The Senate meets pursuant to adjournment and is called to order by His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, Charles J. Fogarty, at 4:00 o'clock P.M.

The roll is called and a quorum is declared present with 47 Senators present and 3 Senators absent as follows:

PRESENT - 47: Senators Algiere, Alves, Badeau, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Cicilline, Coderre, Connors, Cote, Damiani, DaPonte, Enos, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Garabedian, Gibbs, Goodwin, Graziano, Hunter, Igliozzi, Irons, Issa, Izzo, Kells, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, McDonald, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Roney, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska, Walsh.

ABSENT - 3: Senators Donelan, Kelly, Walton

INVOCATION


His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, presents Reverend Bernard A. Healey, Assistant Pastor, St. Augustine Church, Providence, to deliver the invocation.

(See Appendix for Invocation)


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG



His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, by unanimous consent, leads the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

GUESTS


Upon suggestion of Senators Coderre and Algiere, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Mary D. Irons, wife of Senate Majority Leader Irons.

Upon suggestion of Senator Celona, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Jean Cerroni, Smithfield Town Council member.

Upon suggestion of Senator McCaffrey, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator McBurney, his wife Cheryle and children Patrick, Ellen and Mackenzie McBurney.

Upon suggestion of Senator Walaska, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Nancy Fogarty, wife of Senator Fogarty.

Upon suggestion of senators Alves and McBurney, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honorable Helen Mathieu, former State Senator from Portsmouth, and Dona LeBeouf.

Upon suggestion of Senator Algiere, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Blais, his wife Beverly, his mother Cecile, and children Leanne and Jeremy Blais.

Upon suggestion of Senator Algiere, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Henry Walsh, husband of Senator Walsh.

Upon suggestion of Senator Blais, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber David Cadoret, Pat Cadoret and Jocelyn Cadoret of Coventry and Dolores Bartosze~cz.

Upon suggestion of Senator Montalbano, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the Honor-able William B. Zuccarelli, Senator Emeritus.

Upon suggestion of Senate Majority Leader Irons, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Alexander Igliozzi, son of Senator Igliozzi.

Upon suggestion of Senator Goodwin and Senate Majority Leader Irons, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Gallo, her husband Russell Gallo, daughter Laura Gallo, sister Karen Higgins and Vinny Yakavonis.

Upon suggestion of Senate Majority Leader Irons, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Coderre, his father Raymond Coderre and his brother Robert Coderre.

Upon suggestion of Senate Majority Leader Irons, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber the family of Senator Caprio, his wife Gabrella and son Frank Caprio.

Upon suggestion of Senators Cicilline, Kells, Garabedian and Senate Majority Leader Irons, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Rev. Ann Grant and her husband Phil West.

COMMUNICATIONS


His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, presents the following communications:

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
SENATE CHAMBER


January 1, 2002

Senator William V. Irons
317 State House
Providence, RI 02903

Dear Senator Irons:

I will be in Arizona Thursday, January 3, 2002 to Tuesday, January 8, 2002 for conference regarding women in government.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

CATHERINE E. GRAZIANO
Senator, District 5

Received and ordered to be placed on file.

Also:

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
SENATE CHAMBER


January 1, 2002

Senator William V. Irons
317 State House
Providence, RI 02903

Dear Senator Irons:

I will be in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, January 15, 2002 to Friday, January 18, 2002 for a Health Conference.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

CATHERINE E. GRAZIANO
Senator, District 5

Received and ordered to be placed on file.

NEW BUSINESS


Senators McBurney and Celona present (02-S 2002) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the Charter of E.R. Lynch Painting and Maintenance, Inc.

Senator McBurney requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

Unanimous consent for immediate consideration is granted.

Upon motion of Senator McBurney, seconded by Senator Celona, and by unanimous consent, read and passed, under suspension of the rules, upon a voice vote.

Senate Majority Leader Irons and Senators Walaska, Celona, Montalbano, Alves and others present (02-S 2003) Senate Resolution congratulating Robert T. "Bobby" Kells for being named Police Chief of Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Senate Majority Leader Irons moves passage, seconded by the entire Senate.

Senators Walaska, Algiere, Montalbano, Celona, Hunter, Alves, Fogarty, McBurney and Igliozzi discuss the Resolution. The Resolution is read and passed, by unanimous consent, upon a roll call vote with 47 Senators voting in the affirmative and 0 Senators voting in the negative as follows:

YEAS - 47: Senators Algiere, Alves, Badeau, Bates, Blais, Breene, Caprio, Celona, Cicilline, Coderre, Connors, Cote, Damiani, DaPonte, Enos, Felag, Fogarty, Gallo, Garabedian, Gibbs, Goodwin, Graziano, Hunter, Igliozzi, Irons, Issa, Izzo, Kells, Lenihan, McBurney, McCaffrey, McDonald, Montalbano, Paiva Weed, Parella, Perry, Polisena, Raptakis, Revens, Roberts, Roney, Ruggerio, Sheehan, Sosnowski, Tassoni, Walaska, Walsh.

NAYS -0.

PRESENTATION


Senator Walaska presents Senator Kells with a plaque containing his three badges in recognition of his longtime dedication to public service.

Senator Kells addresses the Senate.

GUEST


Upon suggestion of Senate Majority Leader Irons, and by unanimous consent, His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, welcomes to the Chamber Kathy Kells, wife of Senator Kells.


NEW BUSINESS


Senator Celona presents (02-S 2004) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Oaklawn Office Park Associates, Inc.

Read and ordered to be placed on the Consent Calendar.

Senator Issa presents (02-S 2005) An Act relating to the homestead estate exemption.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Senator Issa presents (02-S 2006) An Act relating to taxation - property subject to taxation.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Senator Lenihan presents (02-S 2007) An Act authorizing the town of East Greenwich to issue not more than $12,500,000 bonds and notes to finance extension of sewer lines and the upgrading of the sewage treatment plant of the town and all attendant expenses, including but not limited to engineering costs.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Senators Bates, Issa and Celona present (02-S 2008) An Act relating to mortgages.

Read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.

Senators Blais and Breene present (02-S 2009) An Act relating to poll workers.

Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Senators Cicilline, Lenihan and Roberts present (02-S 2010) An Act relating to establishment and extension of gambling activities.

Read and referred to the Committee on Special Legislation.

Senators Cicilline, Paiva Weed, Perry, Goodwin and Ruggerio present (02-S 2011) An Act relating to cities and towns - state aid.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Senators Cote and Badeau present (02-S 2012) An Act authorizing the city of Woonsocket to finance the unfunded pension liability of the city, by the issuance of not more than $80,000,000 bonds therefor.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Senators Cicilline, Lenihan, Badeau, Roberts and Izzo present (02-S 2013) An Act relating to state affairs and government.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Senators Garabedian, Izzo, Cicilline, Cote, Graziano and others present (02-S 2014) Joint Resolution respectfully requesting the Governor to rescind the freeze on monies appropriated for the Neighborhood Opportunities Program.

Read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Senators Irons, Izzo, Alves, DaPonte, Blais and others present (02-S 2015) An Act relating to the General Assembly.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Naming State Constructions.

Senators Irons, Izzo, Alves, DaPonte, Blais and others present (02-S 2016) An Act relating to the General Assembly.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Naming State Constructions.

Senators Irons, Izzo, Alves, DaPonte, Blais and others present (02-S 2017) An Act relating to the General Assembly.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Naming State Constructions.

Senators Irons, Izzo, Alves, DaPonte, Blais and others present (02-S 2018) An Act relating to the General Assembly.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Naming State Constructions.

Senators Irons, Izzo, Alves, Celona, DaPonte, Blais and others present (02-S 2019) An Act relating to the General Assembly.

Read and referred to the Joint Committee on Naming State Constructions.

WELCOME BACK REMARKS


Senate Majority Leader Irons extends greetings and welcomes back members to the Chamber.

Also:

Senator Algiere joins in welcoming the Senate back for another session.

Also:

His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, joins in welcoming all the Senators and guests to the Chamber.

TRANSMITTAL


By unanimous consent, all matters on the Clerk's desk are ordered to be transmitted to His Excellency, the Governor or to the Honorable House of Representatives forthwith.


NEW BUSINESS


Senators Irons and Algiere present (02-S 2001) Joint Resolution of adjournment.

Senate Majority Leader Irons requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.

Unanimous consent for immediate consideration is granted.

Upon motion of Senate Majority Leader Irons, seconded by Senator Algiere, and by unanimous consent, read and passed, under suspension of the rules, upon a voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT


Upon motion of Senate Majority Leader Irons, seconded by Senator Algiere, the Senate adjourns at 4:40 o'clock P.M.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Secretary of the Senate

Appendix



INVOCATION


REVEREND BERNARD A. HEALEY
ASSISTANT PASTOR
ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH, PROVIDENCE

Almighty and eternal God,
You have revealed your glory to all nations
God of power and might, wisdom and justice, Through you authority is rightly administered,
Laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.
Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude The Leaders of the Rhode Island Senate, That their administration may be conducted in righteousness,
And be eminently useful to your people whom they serve. May they encourage due respect for virtue and honor. May they exercise authority with justice and mercy. May they seek to restrain crime, vice and immortality,
Let the light of your divine wisdom Direct the deliberations of this august body And shine forth in all proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government. May they seek to preserve peace, promote happiness,
And continue to bring us the blessings of liberty and equality.
We pray for all the members of the legislature, for judges, elected officials
And all others who are entrusted to guard our political welfare.
May they be enabled by your powerful protection to discharge
Their duties with honesty and ability. May they seek the common good and always hear the voice of the voiceless in our society.
With the dawn of a new millennium and the beginning of a new year
We ask your blessings upon all gathered here today. We pray to you, who are Lord and God, for ever and ever.Amen.

Appendix



CONSENT CALENDAR




In order for Tuesday, January 2, 2002:

1. (02-S 2004) An Act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Oaklawn Office Park Associates.

Ordered on the Consent Calendar.

RAYMOND T. HOYAS, JR.
Secretary of the Senate

Tuesday, January 1, 2002



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