A highly educated workforce is critical for maintaining Rhode Island’s good quality of life and a robust 21st century economy. I believe that good education should begin in kindergarten and continue seamlessly though professional, doctoral and post-doctoral degree and training programs. I am working toward affordability in higher education for all Rhode Islanders. I strongly believe that public higher education in the Land Grant tradition is the ‘great equalizer’ bringing the American dream of upward social mobility through hard work and merit within the grasp of all Rhode Islanders. I also believe that the a passion for life-long learning, fostered early in life, is not only good for the pocketbook, but essential for building and maintaining a humane and wise society.
H 7140—RELATING TO EDUCATION - - UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND. This act would promote the capability of the University of Rhode Island in the areas of environmental and agricultural research and extension education by authorizing the appropriation of additional state funds to match annual federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, without reduction in the University’s general operating budget.
H 7436—RELATING TO THE PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS. This act would rename the former DCYF Building on the Rhode Island College Campus the "Paul V. Sherlock Center for Disabilities" and appropriate $1.7 million for its renovation.
H 7531—CONGRATULATING DR. ROBERT BALLARD FOR ENGAGING AND INSPIRING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WITH JASON PROJECT 2004. This resolution commends Dr. Robert Ballard and his team of scientists and teacher and student Argonauts for providing every student in Rhode Island with the opportunity to be inspired and motivated by Jason Project 2004
H 8192—RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STROKE TASK FORCE. This act would direct the director of the department of health to establish and maintain a comprehensive statewide stroke task force.
H 8205—RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- FAMILY INDEPENDENCE ACT. This act would provide that fifty dollars ($50.00) of child support paid by a noncustodial be provided to the family of children receiving cash assistance from the family independence program.
H 8359—RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND BAYS AND WATERSHEDS COORDINATION TEAM. This act would establish the Rhode Island Bays and Watersheds Coordination Team to promote multi-state and multi-agency coordination in the management, restoration, protection and development of the state's bays and watersheds. The act would also provide for the establishment of several committees to assist the coordination team in the performance of its duties.
H 8360—RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SPONSOR AND VIGOROUSLY SUPPORT THE ENACTMENT OF THE "INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ACCESSIBILITY ACT" IN THE 108TH SESSION OF CONGRESS. RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to sponsor, and most vigorously support, the enactment of the "Instructional Materials Accessibility Act," also known as the IMAA in this 108th session (2003-2004) of Congress.
H 8424—PROCLAIMING MAY 7, 2004 "URI COMMERCIAL FISHERIES DAY". RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in celebration of over a century of cooperation between the University of Rhode Island and the state’s oldest industry, commercial fishing, hereby proclaims Friday, May 7, 2004 to be “URI Commercial Fisheries Day” in the state of Rhode Island.
H 8596—PROCLAIMING MAY 15, 2004 THROUGH JUNE 15, 2004 AS "TOURETTE SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH". That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 15, 2004 through June 15, 2004 as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month".
H 8641—RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION. This act would create the Comprehensive Watershed and Marine Monitoring Act of 2004.
H 8642—RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION. This act would authorize the director of the department of environmental management to coordinate various governmental agencies and private organizations to insure that watershed management and preservation are optimized. It would also make the Rhode Island Rivers Council an arm of the Water Resources Board instead of the department of administration, division of planning.
H 8692—CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE STATUS OF THE STATE'S POLICY FORMULATION FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES. This resolution would create a 20 member special House commission whose purpose it would be to study the status of the state's policy formulation for sustainable fisheries, and who would report back to the House of Representatives no later than March 11, 2005.
H 8703—CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF AQUACULTURE AND SEAFOOD COMMERCE. This resolution would create a sixteen (16) member special House commission, whose purpose it would be to develop, promote and stimulate a comprehensive system of aquaculture and seafood commerce, and who would report back to the House of Representatives no later than May 31, 2005.