State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
JOURNAL
-OF THE-
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY SESSION of the General Assembly begun and held at the State House in the City of Providence on Tuesday, the seventh day of January in the year of Our Lord two thousand and three.
| Volume130, No.1 |
Tuesday, January 7, 2003 |
First Day |
The House of Representatives meets at the State House in Providence, Tuesday, January 7, 2003, and is called to order at 3:10 o'clock P.M., by the Honorable Thomas Winfield, Deputy Speaker.
APPROVAL OF RECORD
By unanimous consent, the House Journal of Wednesday, June 12, 2002, is approved as printed.
INVOCATION
At 3:12 o'clock P.M. Representative Winfield yields the rostrum to the Most Reverend Robert E. Mulvee, Bishop of Providence. The House attends as Bishop Mulvee delivers the Invocation.
NEW BUSINESS PREFILED
Representatives Murphy, Fox, Menard, Lima and Watson introduce (03-H 5000) Joint Resolution to approve and publish and submit to the electors a proposition of amendment to the Constitution of the State (General Assembly).
Read and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Representatives Fox and Watson introduce (03-H 5001) Joint Resolution of adjournment.
Representative Fox requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.
There is no objection.
Read and passed, on motion of Representative Fox, seconded by Representative Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
The Legislative Session for Wednesday, June 12, 2002 adjourns, at 3:15 o'clock P.M., on motion of Representative Fox, seconded by Representative Watson and the entire House of Representatives, by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
NOW PRESIDING
The House of Representatives meets at the State House in Providence, Tuesday, January 7, 2003, and is called to order at 3:16 o'clock P.M., by the Honorable Paul W. Crowley, the Senior Member of Newport.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair calls upon Representative Shavers to lead the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
COMMUNICATION
The Honorable Representative Crowley announces the receipt of the following communication:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
ROOM 217, STATE HOUSE
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903-1105
MATTHEW A. BROWN
Secretary of State
January 7, 2003
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I, Matthew A. Brown, Secretary of State, hereby certify the following list of members elected to the House of Representatives 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 December, AD 2002, as provided by Section 22-3-13 of the General Laws of 1956:
Representatives District
John J. McCauley, Jr. 1
Paul E. Moura 2
Edith H. Ajello 3
Gordon Fox 4
John J. DeSimone 5
Peter N. Wasylyk 6
Joanne M. Giannini 7
Steven M. Costantino 8
Anastasia P. Williams 9
Thomas C. Slater 10
Leon F. Tejada 11
Joseph S. Almeida 12
Steven F. Smith 13
Charlene Lima 14
Frank A. Montanaro 15
Peter G. Palumbo 16
Robert B. Jacquard 17
Arthur Handy 18
Joseph M. McNamara 19
Paul V. Sherlock 20
Eileen Slattery Naughton 21
Peter T. Ginaitt 22
Robert E. Flaherty 23
Joseph A. Trillo 24
Timothy A. Williamson 25
William J. Murphy 26
Norman L. Landroche, Jr. 27
Victor G. Moffitt 28
Stephen J. Anderson 29
Robert A. Watson 30
Kenneth Carter 31
Melvoid J. Benson 32
Donald J. Lally, Jr. 33
David A. Caprio 34
John Patrick Shanley, Jr. 35
Matthew J. McHugh 36
Peter L. Lewiss 37
Brian Patrick Kennedy 38
Joseph H. Scott 39
Nicholas Gorham 40
Carol A. Mumford 41
Mary Cerra 42
Joseph J. Voccola 43
Peter John Petrarca 44
Rene R. Menard 45
William J. McManus 46
Richard A. Aubin 47
Robert B. Lowe 48
David E. Laroche 49
Todd R. Brien 50
Roger A. Picard 51
Donald O. Reilly, Jr. 52
Thomas J. Winfield 53
Gregory J. Schadone 54
Arthur J. Corvese 55
Joseph L. Faria 56
Joseph P. Moran, III 57
William San Bento, Jr. 58
John B. Harwood 59
Elaine A. Coderre 60
Peter F. Kilmartin 61
Elizabeth M. Dennigan 62
Henry C. Rose 63
Brian G. Coogan 64
John A. Savage 65
Susan A. Story 66
Jan P. Malik 67
Fausto C. Anguilla 68
Raymond E. Gallison, Jr. 69
Joseph N. Amaral 70
William Enos 71
Christine H. Callahan 72
Maxine L. Shavers 73
Bruce J. Long 74
Paul W. Crowley 75
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the State of Rhode Island this seventh day of January, A.D., 2003.
Respectfully Yours,
MATTHEW A. BROWN
Secretary of State
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
ROLL CALL
The roll is called and the Clerk informs the Chair that a quorum is present:
PRESENT - 73: Representatives McCauley, Moura, Ajello, Fox, DeSimone, Wasylyk, Giannini, Costantino, Williams, Slater, Tejada, Almeida, Smith, Lima, Montanaro, Palumbo, Handy, McNamara, Sherlock, Naughton, Ginaitt, Flaherty, Trillo, Williamson, Murphy, Landroche, Moffitt, Anderson, Watson, Carter, Benson, Lally, Caprio, Shanley, McHugh, Lewiss, Kennedy, Scott, Gorham, Mumford, Cerra, Voccola, Petrarca, Menard, McManus, Aubin, Lowe, Laroche, Brien, Picard, Reilly, Winfield, Schadone, Corvese, Faria, Moran, San Bento, Coderre, Kilmartin, Dennigan, Rose, Coogan, Savage, Story, Malik, Anguilla, Gallison, Amaral, Enos, Callahan, Shavers, Long, Crowley.
ABSENT - 2: Representatives Jacquard, Harwood.
Representative Crowley addresses the members of the House.
APPOINTMENTS
The Chair appoints Representatives Sherlock, Kennedy, Callahan, Giannini, Montanaro and Dennigan to escort the Honorable Secretary of State to the rostrum of the House.
OATH OF OFFICE
At 3:30 o'clock P.M. the Representatives-elect rise, as Secretary of State, Matthew A. Brown, administers the Oath of Office.
The Secretary of State, Matthew A. Brown, addresses the House Chamber.
COMMUNICATION
Representative Crowley announces the receipt of the following communications:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
ROOM 217, STATE HOUSE
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903-1105
EDWARD S.INMAN, III
Secretary of State
January 7, 2003
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as Governor for the State of Rhode Island to His Excellency, Donald L. Carcieri, of the town of East Greenwich.
Respectfully,
EDWARD S.INMAN, III
Secretary of State
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
ROOM 217, STATE HOUSE
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903-1105
EDWARD S.INMAN, III
Secretary of State
January 7, 2003
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as Lieutenant Governor for the State of Rhode Island to Lt. Governor, Charles J. Fogarty
of the Town of Glocester.
Respectfully,
EDWARD S.INMAN, III
Secretary of State
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
SUPREME COURT OF RHODE ISLAND
FRANK LICHT JUDICIAL COMPLEX
250 BENEFIT STREET
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
January 7, 2003
The Honorable William J. Murphy
Speaker of the House
State House
Providence, RI 02903
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as Secretary of State for the State of Rhode Island to the Honorable Matthew A. Brown.
Yours sincerely,
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
SUPREME COURT OF RHODE ISLAND
FRANK LICHT JUDICIAL COMPLEX
250 BENEFIT STREET
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
January 7, 2003
The Honorable William J. Murphy
Speaker of the House
State House
Providence, RI 02903
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as General Treasurer for the State of Rhode Island to the Honorable Paul J. Tavares.
Yours sincerely,
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
SUPREME COURT OF RHODE ISLAND
FRANK LICHT JUDICIAL COMPLEX
250 BENEFIT STREET
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
January 7, 2003
The Honorable William J. Murphy
Speaker of the House
State House
Providence, RI 02903
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island to the Honorable Patrick C. Lynch.
Yours sincerely,
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
SUPREME COURT OF RHODE ISLAND
FRANK LICHT JUDICIAL COMPLEX
250 BENEFIT STREET
PROVIDENCE, RI 02903
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
January 7, 2003
The Honorable William J. Murphy
Speaker of the House
State House
Providence, RI 02903
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to inform you that I administered this day the oath of engagement as President of the Senate for the State of Rhode Island to the Honorable William V. Irons.
Yours sincerely,
FRANK J. WILLIAMS
Chief Justice
Received and ordered to be placed on file.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Representative -elect John B. Harwood is out of town and unable to attend session today.
Also:
Representative -elect Robert B. Jacquard is out of town and unable to attend session today.
Also:
Representative Fox welcomes all the Representatives and their families to the House Chambers.
Also:
Representative Fox welcomes newly elected Mayor David Cicilline back to the House.
Also:
Representative Fox addresses the House Chambers.
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
Representative Crowley calls for nominations.
Representative Fox nominates Representative William J. Murphy of West Warwick, to be Speaker of the House
of Representatives. The nomination is seconded by Representatives Williamson, Schadone, San Bento, Sherlock, Carter, Menard, Ginaitt, Enos, Benson, Gallison, Wasylyk, Giannini, Lima, McNamara, Winfield, Shavers, Tejada, Kennedy, Malik, Coogan, Coderre, Voccola, Corvese, McCauley, Brien, Slater, Almeida, Rose, Costantino, Shanley, DeSimone, Anderson, Montanaro, Kilmartin, Moura, Laroche, Landroche, Handy, Smith, Cerra, Reilly, Picard, Lowe, Palumbo, Aubin and Moran.
Representative Mumford nominates Representative Watson of East Greenwich to be Speaker of the House
, seconded by Representatives Gorham, Scott, Trillo, Moffitt, Savage, Amaral, Story, Callahan, Long and McManus.
Representative Menard, seconded by Representatives Lima, Carter and Shavers, moves that nominations be closed.
The motion to close nominations prevails, on a voice vote.
The election of Representative William J. Murphy as Speaker of the House
prevails, on a roll call vote, 61 members voting for Representative Murphy and 12 members voting for Representative Watson as follows:
MURPHY - 73: Representatives McCauley, Moura, Ajello, Fox, DeSimone, Wasylyk, Giannini, Costantino, Williams, Slater, Tejada, Almeida, Smith, Lima, Montanaro, Palumbo, Handy, McNamara, Sherlock, Naughton, Ginaitt, Flaherty, Williamson, Murphy, Landroche, Anderson, Carter, Benson, Lally, Caprio, Shanley, McHugh, Lewiss, Kennedy, Cerra, Voccola, Petrarca, Menard, Aubin, Lowe, Laroche, Brien, Picard, Reilly, Winfield, Schadone, Corvese, Faria, Moran, San Bento, Coderre, Kilmartin, Dennigan, Rose, Coogan, Malik, Anguilla, Gallison, Enos, Shavers, Crowley.
WATSON - 12: Representatives Trillo, Moffitt, Watson, Scott, Gorham, Mumford, McManus, Savage, Story, Amaral, Callahan, Long.
The Chair declares William J. Murphy is elected Speaker of the House
for the years 2003-2004.
APPOINTMENTS
The Chair appoints Representatives Ajello, Carter, DeSimone, Ginaitt, Naughton, Picard, Rose, San Bento, Williams and Winfield a committee to escort the Speaker-elect, his family and the Honorable Joseph F. Rodgers, Jr., Presiding Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court to the rostrum.
OATH OF OFFICE
The House attends while the Honorable Justice administers the Oath of Office to the Honorable Speaker.
NOW PRESIDING
At 4:06 o'clock P.M. Representative Crowley turns over the rostrum to the Honorable Speaker, William J. Murphy.
The Honorable Speaker William J. Murphy, addresses the members of the House.
(See Appendix for Address)
The Honorable Speaker congratulates Majority Leader Gordon Fox, Majority Whip Rene Menard, Deputy Whip Charlene Lima, Minority Leader Robert Watson, and Minority Whip Joseph Scott.
The Honorable Speaker welcomes Nicholas S. Laroche, nephew of Representative David Laroche, who will sing God Bless America.
NEW BUSINESS
Representatives Fox, Watson and Kilmartin introduce (03-H 5002) House Resolution continuing the 1999-2000 Rules of the House of Representatives pending the adoption of new rules for the 2003-2004 session.
Representative Fox requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.
There is no objection.
Read and passed, on motion of Representative Fox, seconded by Representatives Kilmartin and Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
Representatives Murphy, Fox, Watson and Kilmartin introduce (03-H 5003) House Resolution adopting Rules of the House of Representatives regarding committees for the 2003-2004 session.
Read and referred to the Committee on Rules.
Representatives Fox and Watson introduce (03-H 5004) Joint Resolution of adjournment.
Representative Fox requests unanimous consent for immediate consideration.
There is no objection.
Read and passed, on motion of Representative Fox, seconded by Representative Watson, and by unanimous consent, on a voice vote.
LEAVE OF THE HOUSE
GUEST
At 4:35 o'clock P.M. the Honorable Speaker yields the rostrum to the newly elected Governor of the State of Rhode Island, Donald Carcieri.
By unanimous consent, Governor Carcieri addresses the members of the House.
At 4:37 o'clock P.M. the Honorable Speaker returns to the rostrum.
With the agreement of the Majority and the Minority, the introduction of bills and resolutions will be deferred until tomorrow.
There is no objection.
ELECTION OF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
The Honorable Speaker declares the election of Clerk is in order and calls for nominations.
Representative Lally, seconded by Representative Caprio, nominates Louis D'Antuono of Narragansett to be
Clerk of the House
for the Session 2003-2004.
There being no further nominations, Representative Corvese, seconded by Representative Shanley, moves that nominations be closed.
The motion to close nominations prevails, on a voice vote.
Representative Lewis moves that Representative Lally be directed to cast one ballot for Louis D'Antuono of Narragansett to be
Clerk of the House
for the 2003-2004 Session, seconded by Representatives Caprio, Williams, Cerra and Benson.
Representative Lally casts one ballot for Louis D'Antuono for the office of the
Clerk of the House
for the years 2003-2004. The motion prevails by unanimous consent on a voice vote.
Louis D'Antuono is elected
Clerk of the House of the Session 2003-2004.
ELECTION OF RECORDING CLERK
OF THE HOUSE
The Honorable Speaker declares the election of a
Recording Clerk is in order and calls for nominations.
Representative Schadone, seconded by Representative Corvese, nominates Linda McElroy of North Providence to be Recording
Clerk of the House
for the Session 2003-2004.
There being no further nominations, Representative Wasylyk, seconded by Representative Corvese, moves that nominations be closed.
The motion to close nominations prevails, on a voice vote.
Representative Wasylyk moves that Representative Schadone be directed to cast one ballot for Linda McElroy of North Providence to be
Recording Clerk for the 2003-2004 Session, seconded by Representative Corvese.
Representative Schadone casts one ballot for Linda McElroy for the office of Recording
Clerk of the House
for the years 2003-2004. The motion prevails by unanimous consent on a voice vote.
Linda McElroy is elected Recording
Clerk of the House
of the Session 2003-2004.
OATH OF OFFICE
The Honorable Speaker administers the Oath of Office to the
Clerk of the House
Louis D'Antuono and the Recording Clerk of the House Linda McElroy for the 2003-2004 Session.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 7, 2003
The Honorable William J. Murphy, Speaker of the House
of Representatives, hereby appoints the following Representatives to the Rules Committee:
The Honorable Peter Kilmartin
The Honorable Jan Malik
The Honorable Nicholas Gorham
The Honorable Donald Lally
The Honorable John McCauley
The Honorable Timothy Williamson
The Honorable Eileen Naughton
The Honorable Gregory Schadone
The Honorable Maxine Shavers
The Honorable Thomas Winfield
The Honorable John Savage
WILLIAM J. MURPHY
Speaker of the House
Received and placed on file.
Also:
Majority Leader Fox announces that the Committee on Rules will meet on Thursday, January 9, 2003, at the rise of the House in Room 203 of the State House.
Also:
Majority Leader Fox announces that Seating Assignments will take place Thursday, January 9, 2003, at the rise of the House.
Also:
Majority Leader Fox announces that pending new rules, the House will convene at 4:00 o'clock P.M.
Also:
Majority Leader Fox announces everyone is invited to a reception at the rise of the House in the House Lounge.
GUESTS
Representative Dennigan welcomes to the House Chambers as guests parents Steve and Betty Brunero, brothers Mark Brunero and Steve Brunero, friend Suzanne Gorham, campaign manager Dot and Jack O'Gara, husband Karl Machata, daughters Darcie, Sarah, Heidi and Kyla Dennigan, friend John O'Hare, and friend Ramana Ramos from Pawtucket Police.
Also:
Representative McManus welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Joanne McManus, Kristen McManus, Maureen McManus, Katie McKenna, Paul McKenna, Bob Wotherspoon and Diane Wotherspoon.
Also:
Representative Moffitt welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Bertha Moffitt and daughters Melanie Moffitt and Mary Quackenbush.
Also:
Representative Lowe welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Karyn Lowe and Albert Savoie.
Also:
Representative Picard welcomes to the House Chambers as guests mother Germaine Picard, wife Diane Picard, daughters Nicole, Kristen and Caitlyn Picard and brother Richard Picard.
Also:
Representative Trillo welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Marilyn Cocozza Trillo, daughter Deborah Trillo-Pine, step-daughter Erika Kruse, and mother-in-law Yolanda Cocozza.
Also:
Representative Mumford welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Aislinn Mumford, Madeline Mumford, Richard Mumford, Siobhan Mumford, Robert Higgins, Barbara Higgins, Theodore Richard, and Wayne Salisbury.
Also:
Representative Williamson welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Maryanne Williamson, Connor Williamson, Avery Williamson, Patrick T. Burke, Alfred Russo and David Perry.
Also:
Representative Gorham welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Roseanna Gorham, Diane Gorham and Bradford Gorham.
Also:
Representative Long welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Maureen Amaral, son Nicolas, daughter Sarah, mother Maria Amaral, and Jesse Bertholde.
Also:
Representative Amaral welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Representative Long's daughters, Jessica J. Long and Jamie R. Long.
Also:
Representative Landroche welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Kimberly Clark Landroche, daughters Logan, Leighton and Brighton, parents Norman and Yvette Landroche, sisters Janine Burke and Julie Noret, brother-in-law Thomas Noret, and friend J. Paddy O'Neill.
Also:
Representative Kilmartin welcomes to the House Chambers as guests M. Dorothy Kilmartin and Kristine M. Kilmartin.
Also:
Representative Reilly welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Patricia Reilly, daughter Meghan Reilly and son Connor Reilly.
Also:
Representative Lewiss welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Matthew and Florence Lewiss.
Also:
Representative Malik welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Jackie Anguilla and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Anguilla.
Also:
Representative Gallison welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Diane Gallison, sons Timothy and Nathan, father Raymond E. Gallison, Sr., and mother Barbara Gallison.
Also:
Representative Cerra welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Ruth Tridenti, Cliff Esposito, Mark Link, Ann Link and Sophie O'Leary.
Also:
Representative Montanaro welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Joy E. Montanaro, Frank J. Montanaro, Jake R. Montanaro, Neil Whitelaw, Dot Whitelaw, Richard Santamaria, and Steven B. Cuomo.
Also:
Representative Watson welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Representative Trillo's family, Marilyn Cocozza Trillo, Deborah Trillo-Pine, Erika Kruse and Yolanda Cocozza. Representative Watson also welcomes Jane Watson, Louise Smith and Lorrain McGarry to the House.
Also:
Representative Laroche welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Mrs. Linda Laroche, David L. Laroche, Catherine A. Laroche, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Richardson, Mr. Michael Laroche and Nick Laroche.
Also:
Representative Handy welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Dorothea Handy, Ben Handy, Patricia DiPrete and Janice DiPrete.
Also:
Representative Benson welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Gail Cornell, Ruth Klein, Mary Lynch, and Delores Maisonet.
Also:
Representative Shavers welcomes to the House Chambers as a guest her daughter Deborah.
Also:
Representative Almeida welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Jackie Clinton, Major Cornel Young and Mrs. Amy Young.
Also:
Representative Williams welcomes to the House Chambers as guests Rev. Edgerton, Michael Shepard, Rubina Marigny, and "Hev'n Nicole".
Also:
Representative Moran welcomes to the House Chambers as guests wife Ann Marie, daughters Tanya, Ashley, Shannon and Kelsea, Peter Cardoso and Casey Andrade.
Representative Watson thanks his Republican colleagues for nominating him for Speaker of the House
and congratulates the leadership.
BENEDICTION
The Honorable Speaker presents Reverend Charles Downing from St. Joseph's Church in West Warwick.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:20 o'clock P.M. on motion of Representative Rose, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Representative Robert Sullivan; on motion of Representative McNamara, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Officer Joseph J. McGarry; on motion of Representative Lima, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Anna Zompa; on motion of Representative Gallison, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Peter Benevides; on motion of Representative Kilmartin, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of Stephen Stamp; seconded by Representatives Fox and Watson, the House adjourns, on a unanimous rising vote.
LINDA McELROY
Recording Clerk
Appendix
REMARKS
WILLIAM J. MURPPHY
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Thank you. Thank you very much.
First, to my House colleagues, as we gather in this chamber to open this historic session of the General Assembly.
I am humbled by the great honor that you have bestowed upon me.
I appreciate your vote of confidence.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to those members who encouraged me to campaign for the Office of Speaker.
Without your help, this would not have been possible.
I also extend my thanks to the residents of my home town of West Warwick and to the voters of District 26, which includes the fine people of Coventry and Warwick for giving me the opportunity to be here.
To my wife Stacey, for her inspiration, love and understanding. Her unwavering belief in me throughout my political career. Thank you and I love you.
To my sons Ryan and Kyle, I feel honored that I will be able to make decisions and shape policy that will have a positive impact on your future and the future of all children of Rhode Island.
To my parents, John and Dorothy, who are not well, but are home watching today. Thank you for everything and for always being there.
To my brother Mike, sister-in-law Nancy, nephew Sean and niece Karlah. To my cousin Marie, Uncle Bill and Aunt Toni and to our Great Aunt Sue.
To my law partner Mark Fay. To our associates, Norman Landroche and Steven Crawford. To our staff, Donna Rogers, Jennifer Turcotte and Luis Colon; and to my colleagues, Scott Lutes and Michael Zarella.
Gordon Smith, West Warwick Democratic Town Committee Chairman.
To my mentor, Attorney John Tramonti and his wife, Patricia Tramonti.
To Father Charles Downing, of St. Joseph Church in West Warwick.
And former State
Representative, Stephen Hernandez, Principal of St. Joseph School.
To Presiding Justice Joseph Rodgers of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
Thank you for all of your support.
To our invited guests, welcome and thank you for being here today.
While we move forward into the new legislative session, we must look back to remember and mention a few individuals who contributed to making Rhode Island a better state, but left us much too quickly last year.
Supreme Court Justice John Bourcier.
Supreme Court Justice Victoria Lederberg, a former member of the House.
Superior Court Justice John Sheehan.
Honorable Frank Sgambato, formerSenate Majority Leader.
Former Representatives Francis McGreavy and Mary Kilmarx.
John Affleck, who had a noted and distinguished career in public service.
And our beloved brother, the Honorable Robert Sullivan of East Providence.
As we say goodbye to these leaders, it is time to congratulate our future leaders.
I want to especially welcome the nine new House members and ask them to stand as I introduce them.
Representative Richard Aubin of Burrillville and Glocester.
Representative William Enos of Tiverton, Little Compton and Portsmouth. (Glad you finally chose the upper Chamber).
Representative Arthur Handy of Cranston.
Representative Norman Landroche of West Warwick, Warwick and Coventry.
Representative David Laroche of Woonsocket.
Representative Matthew McHugh of South Kingstown, New Shoreham, Charlestown and Westerly.
Representative William McManus of Lincoln.
Representative Victor Moffitt of Coventry.
Representative Peter Petrarca of Smithfield, Johnston and Lincoln.
I also wish to congratulate the new leadership team:
My partner, Majority Leader Gordon Fox of Providence.
Deputy Majority Leader Rene Menard of Lincoln and also representing Cumberland.
Deputy Majority Whip Charlene Lima of Cranston.
I also want to extend a welcome to House Minority Leader, Robert Watson of East and West Greenwich and House Minority Whip Joseph Scott of Exeter, Charlestown and Richmond.
Collectively we face many challenges.
As you know, the state's budget, which always originates in the House, has been the most important piece of legislation that we enact. I pledge to you and to all Rhode Islanders that we will work together with the Senate and Governor Carcieri to pass a responsible budget that will address any deficit concerns while maintaining necessary state services. Unlike other states which face disastrous fiscal situations, I assure you that with your help, we will meet the challenges.
We are fortunate to have our new Majority Leader Gordon Fox whose ability and insight into the budgeting process will be invaluable to us.
As Speaker and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services, I will work with all JCLS members to professionalize all offices within the General Assembly.
Employment at the Rhode Island State House if a privilege and under my leadership employees will learn that they are valued, but at the same time, they too are accountable to the people of Rhode Island.
The voters of our state have given us a message, and it is loud and clear. That message is that we must change how power in Rhode Island is distributed and exercised. We will address this issue today by sending a Resolution to the Rules Committee to establish a standing committee on separation of powers. The Committee will prepare and submit legislation on separation of powers that will be debated and passed by this House so that we can submit it to the voters in 2004.
With help from both sides of the aisle, I have pre-filed legislation to impose term limits on the Offices of Speaker and Senate President.
As your Speaker, I will deliver a change in leadership practice and a change in leadership style. My office will be open and accessible to you the membership of the House of Representatives; your ideas, views and needs are important to me. I know that by working together we can succeed.
Our problem in recent years was that we failed to communicate with the people of Rhode Island. As a result, many see only the warts of our institution not the beauty of our great works and numerous achievements.
The Office of the Speaker will establish a needed stream of communication with the media. We will be proactive not reactive.
The Office of the Speaker and the House leadership will have a spokesperson. We need to get the message out.
When necessary, I will call for caucuses which are often needed during the legislative session. Debate and compromise are the bedrocks of representative democracy. We need to ensure that the voices of our members are heard.
Members of this House have always prided themselves as state office holders who are closest to the people. The average Rhode Island citizen who has a problem with state government has two options in solving that problem. He or she can call a bureaucracy and listen to a voice mail message, or, he or she can call their State Representative and ask for help. We can't solve every problem, but the people in our districts know that we will take their calls and will do something about it.
Doing something means more than just fixing a constituent problem. It means we must share with our constituents a clear and ambitious vision of what this state should be in these early years of the 21st century. It means working with our new Governor and with the Senate to develop innovative, economic opportunities that will benefit working families of Rhode Island. It means restoring Rhode Island to the kind of prestige and prosperity that our small state enjoyed at the turn of the last century. That prosperity is forever preserved for every generation of Rhode Islanders in this magnificent building, a building that was constructed and occupied for the first time by the General Assembly in January, 1901. It means a prosperity which will provide a growing stream of good jobs, so my children and your children will not have to leave our beautiful Ocean State to make their lives and careers in another state.
Although we are defined as a part-time legislature, our work often consumes a full-time status.
I want to make sure that people in the state of Rhode Island know just how hard all of you work day in and day out. It may be a part-time position, but it is a full-time commitment.
We are a House of two parties. But, as your Speaker, I will listen to each and every one of you regardless of part affiliation. We are not perfect. No group or person is. But over the past 340 years, from the first meeting of the General Assembly in Newport in 1664. this institution has served the people of Rhode Island well. and we will continue to do so.
The men and women of each of our districts have sent us here to do their business, which is to establish good public policy for Rhode Island over the next two years. We must not disappoint them.
I am confident, as I stand here for the first time as Speaker of the House
, that we will make them proud of how well, how openly, and how ethically we will go about doing their business.
We are going to restore public trust in this House - let us get to work.
Thanks.
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