2023 -- H 6266
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LC002790
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
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 LAWRENCE VERRIA ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FORTY YEA RS OF
DEDICATED SERVICE EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF RHODE
ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Craven, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Chippendale, Kennedy, Edwards, Ajello, Tanzi, and Fellela
Date Introduced: April 06, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, To the very good fortune of many a North Kingstown student, Lawrence 1
Verria, better known as “Larry” to his many friends, followed his heart and began on the path to a 2
career in education. He attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and his Master’s degree in 3
Educational Leadership and Administration from Rhode Island College; and 4
WHEREAS, In 1983, Mr. Verria began his career in education as an English teacher with 5
the Warren School Department and in 1985, found his niche in the Social Studies Department at 6
North Kingstown High School (NKHS); and 7
WHEREAS, Over the course of his thirty-eight years at NKHS, Mr. Verria gained the 8
respect of both his students and colleagues and ultimately earned the position of Social Studies 9
Department Chair; and 10
WHEREAS, In addition to his teaching, Mr. Verria authored a book “The Kissing 11
Sailor”, which was published by the United States Naval Institute Press, and tells the true story 12
behind the famous kissing sailor photo from “V-J Day” in 1945; and 13
WHEREAS, Also active in the community, Mr. Verria was a soccer coach for the Bristol 14
Youth Soccer League for nine years, managed the East Bay Fast Pitch Girls Softball League for 15
eleven years, and was a spokesperson for the Bristol Playground Restoration Committee; and 16
WHEREAS, Extraordinary people never retire, they just begin a new chapter of their 17
lives. Such is the case with Larry Verria who, by virtue of his dedication to young people and his 18
many accomplishments, serves as a model for all our educational leaders; now, therefore be it 19
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 1
congratulates and thanks Lawrence Verria for his forty years educating Rhode Island’s young 2
people. We moreover wish him good health and much happiness during his well-earned 3
retirement; and be it further 4
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 5
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Lawrence Verria. 6
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