WHEREAS, Former Warwick City Councilman and City Council President Pro Tempore once held up an entire city budget because he felt that more needed to be done for the Palmer Avenue Playground. The meeting eventually continued but not before his request was granted -- only one example of the love and dedication he showed to "his" ward and the children it serviced. It is without surprise therefore, that the City Council has unanimously approved a resolution to rename the park in John Del Giudice's memory; and

WHEREAS, One of the people most responsible for the development of the park in the early 1960's, John Del Giudice served his fellow Ward 5 residents from 1984-1992 while a valued member of the City Council. His service to Ward 5 and the preservation and development of the Palmer Avenue Playground were always his priorities; and

WHEREAS, Aroused by the spirit of community which John Del Giudice fostered throughout his life, others in the city have come forward to revitalize the fields where countless kids, including the neighborhood team he coached to a city-wide victory in 1980, have played over the years. Members of the Municipal Employees Union have offered to donate a flagpole to the park, and many employees from the Department of Public Works and others have chosen to fix up the park on their days off; and

WHEREAS, Plans for the area include a bronze commemorative plaque affixed to a boulder, several evergreen trees, and a paved or stone walkway leading to the flagpole. As part of the dedication weekend, there will be a softball tournament, a 5K road race, and the 1st annual Highland Beach cookout. Some of the undertakings planned for the cookout include games and races for the children, as well as a puppet show. There is absolutely no doubt that John would be thrilled by these activities for "his" beloved kids; and

WHEREAS, John Del Giudice is remembered by his City Council peers as a vivacious, happy, and dedicated husband to his wife Polly, father to his children and a friend to all he encountered and helped. John influenced, inspired, helped and humored many people along the way with his sense of fair play, straightforwardness, sincerity, intelligence, magnetic leadership, and great sense of humor. This altogether fitting tribute to his sense of community and enthusiasm to make things better for its residents is a glorious monument to this extraordinary gentleman and his many sterling achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby joins the family, colleagues and innumerable friends of John C. Del Giudice in commemorating his lifetime of service to his community and to the citizens of Warwick as we join in the May 5, 1996 celebration surrounding the renaming of the Palmer Avenue Playground in his honor. The John C. Del Giudice Memorial Park will serve as a permanent reminder of the spirit of community he so often inspired; and be it

RESOLVED, That this House hereby declares May 5th, 1996 to be John Del Giudice day in Rhode Island; 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 the family of the late John C. Del Giudice.