2023 -- H 6438
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LC003067
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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
EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF ANNA FRIEDMAN PRAGER,
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR A ND CIVIC LEADER
Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Knight,
Kislak, Ackerman, Finkelman, Caldwell, and Craven
Date Introduced: May 25, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Anna 1
Friedman Prager, the beloved wife of Jan Prager for 64 years, and the cherished mother of two 2
children; and 3
WHEREAS, Anna Friedman Prager was born as Chana Sima Frydman on January 6, 4
1936, in Chmielnik, Poland, a daughter of Temma and Jack Friedman, and the sister of 5
Rosemary; and 6
WHEREAS, As a young child in 1939, Mrs. Prager and her family were expelled from 7
their home in Poland and sent to a forced labor camp in Siberia. The family miraculously 8
survived and in 1943, were released and migrated to Samarkand. A few years later, they 9
immigrated illegally to Sweden, where they stayed until 1949, and ultimately came to the United 10
States in the 1960s, and made their home in South County; and 11
WHEREAS, Anna Prager had a childhood that would have left many people defeated, 12
but quite to the contrary, her friends said she was a force, and her son recalls his memories of her 13
as "a woman on the go" and an "inspiration"; and 14
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mrs. Prager served our State in myriad capacities. She was a 15
high school chemistry teacher for many years, was the former Board Chairperson of the Rhode 16
Island Public Transit Authority, served as the South Kingstown Town Planner for more than a 17
decade, was a member of the Town Council, and held policy positions in the Governor’s office; 18
and 19
LC003067 - Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, In addition, Mrs. Prager was named the head of the Board of Directors for 1
the Washington County Regional Planning Council which was created in 2005, formerly named 2
the Washington County Community Development Corp. The Council was tasked with creating 3
low- and moderate-income housing in South County; and 4
WHEREAS, Also active with many altruistic community organizations, Mrs. Prager was 5
on the Board of Save the Bay and had received "The Outstanding American by Choice Award", a 6
Federal award presented to naturalized US citizens who achieved extraordinary things in their 7
lives. She was also the author of "I Remember" an unforgettable and poignant collection of her 8
memories from the Holocaust; and 9
WHEREAS, With all her many accomplishments, Mrs. Prager was proudest and happiest 10
when surrounded by her children, and the "grands" and "greats-grands" as she called them, 11
including her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews, and grand 12
nieces and nephews, whom she adored; and 13
WHEREAS, Anna Friedman Prager was a woman of substance, a woman with deep 14
strength and noble character, and she will be dearly missed by all who had the good fortune to be 15
a part of her remarkable life; now, therefore be it 16
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 17
extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Anna Friedman Prager. May her 18
memory be a blessing; and be it further 19
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 20
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Jan Prager and Family. 21
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LC003067
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