10-R347

2010 -- S 3025

Enacted 06/10/10

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

THANKING SENATOR LEONIDAS P. RAPTAKIS FOR HIS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF RHODE ISLAND AS A MEMBER OF THE RHODE ISLAND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, Connors, Algiere, and Blais

Date Introduced: June 10, 2010

     WHEREAS, The Honorable Leonidas Raptakis was first elected to public office in 1992,

representing Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich, and Exeter in the House of

Representatives. He pledged to represent his constituents with integrity and honor, to oppose

government waste, and to fight diligently on behalf of good government and in support of reform

issues such as public access to public information and campaign finance reform. He also swore to

protect citizens by strengthening Rhode Island’s drunk driving laws and creating a better business

environment for small business owners; and

WHEREAS, Senator Raptakis was born on November 18, 1959. He graduated from

Coventry High School, the Community College of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island College. He is

married to Donna Marie Digidio, is the proud father of Alexandra-Marie and Nicholas Peter, and

is the owner of Venus Pizza Restaurant; and

     WHEREAS, He earned a seat in the Senate in November 1996, and he continued to

champion the causes of his District 33 constituents. Senator Raptakis gained a reputation for the

energy he devoted to the legislative process, and for his commitment to engaging in full and open

debate; and

     WHEREAS, As a restaurateur, he has been a consistent advocate for the small business

community throughout his tenure in public service. He has worked to advance regulatory reform

issues and vigorously pushed the discussion of how to consolidate business licensing and permit

fees, and he has sought to tie the minimum wage to the consumer price index to benefit both

workers and businesses; and

     WHEREAS, He also never hesitated to bring attention to the accomplishments and

contributions of Rhode Island’s Greek-American community. Senator Raptakis founded the

Greek American Coalition of New England, made up of New England legislators of Greek

descent, to advocate for Greek-related issues. He has worked to develop educational materials

and curricula on genocide and human rights issues, and to encourage Congress to help establish a

Cypriot Republic. Senator Raptakis has represented Rhode Island at the White House’s

celebration of Greek Independence Day, and hosted Greek celebrations at the State House for the

past 17 years; and

     WHEREAS, As a Senator representing Coventry, Warwick, West Warwick and East

Greenwich, he has been a leading voice for many years in support of stricter laws for drunk

drivers and tougher penalties for repeat offenders. He has championed legislation to increase

fines, jail time, and license revocation penalties for those convicted of drunk driving and to

categorize repeat offenses as felonies. Senator Raptakis has fought to increase voter access to

primary elections by shortening disaffiliation periods and providing automatic disaffiliation after

a primary. He chaired the Senate commission that studied how public funds are allocated for art

in public buildings, and submitted legislation to change reform the procedures; now, therefore be

it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby thanks Senator Raptakis for his eighteen years of distinguished service as a member of the

Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996, and the Rhode Island State Senate

from 1997 to 2010. We will miss his integrity and the passion he brought to the State House

every day on behalf of all Rhode Islanders; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis.

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LC02958

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