2023 -- H 6039
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
HONORING ANTHONY CAPEZZA ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF
DISTINGUISHED AND HONORABLE PUBLIC SERVICE
Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Hull,
Craven, Tanzi, Shanley, J. Lombardi, and Casey
Date Introduced: March 02, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, Anthony Capezza is a man who has spent his life in service to others. He 1
has always been a devoted family man and served our nation with honor and valor with the 2
United States Army Airborne in the Vietnam War. He also served and protected the public as a 3
police officer and as the Director of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers; and 4
WHEREAS, Mr. Capezza began his distinguished law enforcement career after returning 5
from his military service in Vietnam, when he joined the Cranston Police Department on 6
February 26, 1973. Officer Capezza was known and respected for his tireless work ethic and 7
diligence on the job during his 24 years with the Cranston Police Department. He retired from the 8
Department on January 6, 1996, with the rank of Sergeant Detective; and 9
WHEREAS, Shortly after retiring as a police officer, Mr. Capezza became the national 10
representative for the local International Brotherhood of Police Officers, (IBPO) a position he 11
held until 2002, when he was named the State Director of the IBPO and served as its main 12
lobbyist for the State of Rhode Island. He retired from the Director’s position on February 28, 13
2021, but continued to lobby as a state contractor for the police union; and 14
WHEREAS, Of Mr. Capezza’s many accomplishments, he was most proud of his support 15
for legislation allowing police officers to serve in towns in which they did not reside, support for 16
property tax relief in municipalities, and legislation that would waive the property tax for the 17
surviving spouse of an officer killed in the line of duty. He also supported 2021 legislation that 18
would have allowed municipalities to treat canines injured on duty with EMT/transportation 19
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services; and 1
WHEREAS, Mr. Capezza is the devoted husband of Colleen Capezza, the father of 2
Anthony, Tina and Anne, and the proud grandfather of Cassie, Trina and Lexie; now, therefore be 3
it 4
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 5
honors Anthony Capezza on his retirement after fifty years of distinguished public service and 6
thanks him for all he has done to protect the safety and well-being of our State’s police officers 7
and citizenry. We furthermore wish him good health and continued success in all his future 8
endeavors; and be it further 9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 10
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Anthony Capezza. 11
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