2023 -- H 6515
========
LC003170
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE MARIA LOPE S ON RECEIVING A LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AN D THE HONORABLE MARC IA RANGLIN-VASSELL ON
RECEIVING THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION AWARD AT THE JUNETEENTH AWARDS
LUNCHEON ON JUNE 17TH, 2023
Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Tanzi,
Diaz, Slater, Kislak, McEntee, and Morales
Date Introduced: June 12, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, On June 17th of 2023, BLM RI PAC is holding its first Juneteenth Awards 1
Luncheon to recognize those individuals whose efforts and accomplishments have had a 2
significant and positive effect for underrepresented individuals and have fostered inclusivity in 3
the legislature; and 4
WHEREAS, This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Maria Lopes 5
who was the first Black Woman elected to the Rhode Island State Legislature and served in the 6
RI House of Representatives from 1989 through 2001; and 7
WHEREAS, The Honorable Maria Lopes was a pioneer who opened the door for women 8
to run and have a stronger voice in the General Assembly, and whose accomplishments brought 9
light on the issues facing Rhode Island’s minority and underrepresented communities; and 10
WHEREAS, This year’s Legislative Champion Award winner is Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, 11
a former member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives who represented the 5th District 12
from 2017 through 2022; and 13
WHEREAS, During her tenure in the House of Representatives, the Honorable Marcia 14
Ranglin-Vassell championed legislation in support of an equitable living wage, access and 15
reimbursement for doula services, bills to prevent gun violence, and support for numerous 16
education issues; and 17
WHEREAS, The Honorable Maria Lopes and the Honorable Marcia Ranglin-Vassell 18
LC003170 - Page 2 of 2
were true champions who spearheaded numerous initiatives that made a positive difference in the 1
lives of countless Rhode Islanders; and 2
WHEREAS, These two esteemed former colleagues have undoubtedly earned the 3
gratitude and respect of the people of Rhode Island and are eminently deserving of this 4
recognition; now, therefore be it 5
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 6
recognizes and congratulates the Honorees, Marcia Ranglin-Vassell and Maria Lopes, on 7
receiving these distinguished Awards and for their diligent and dedicated efforts to represent and 8
better the lives of so many Rhode Islanders; and be it further 9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 10
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political 11
Action Committee, the Honorable Maria Lopes, and the Honorable Marcia Ranglin-Vassell. 12
========
LC003170
========