2023 -- S 0040
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LC000689
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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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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF NANCY F. BINNS
Introduced By: Senators de la Cruz, Rogers, Paolino, and DeLuca
Date Introduced: January 18, 2023
Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Nancy F. 1
Binns, a lifelong fifth generation Burrillville resident, and the beloved mother of Kelly Hunt, 2
Godmother of Anna Collins, the cherished lifelong friend of Kathy Leveille; and 3
WHEREAS, Ms. Binns was the daughter of the late Ruth and George Binns, and was the 4
sister of the late Bruce Binns and Carolyn Binns. She was a graduate of Burrillville High School 5
and Smith College and later returned to school at Yale University where she became one of the 6
first to graduate the University with a Physician Assistant degree. She subsequently worked at 7
Fogarty Memorial Hospital and two local medical practices, retiring after many years; and 8
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the betterment of her beloved Town of Burrillville, Ms. Binns 9
served on the Town Council for twelve years, eight of which as Council President. During her 10
tenure on the Council she was acclaimed for her efforts on the renovation of the Jesse Smith 11
Library, the Levy Rink, the Callahan School, upgrades to the Burrillville Police Station, the 12
Pascoag Grammar redevelopment and the creation of a new school administration building. She 13
was also a leader in the development of numerous additional projects benefitting the Town and 14
for spearheading the Town’s Marriage Equality Resolution; and 15
WHEREAS, In addition to her efforts with the Council, Ms. Binns was involved with 16
numerous altruistic endeavors including volunteering on the Burrillville Ambulance Association, 17
spending countless hours for the Between the Cracks charity variety shows, as well as being on 18
the Board of Directors for the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack program. She was also a member 19
of Berean Baptist Church and sang with the church choir as well as Carillon Women's Chorus; 20
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and 1
WHEREAS, Over the years, Ms. Binns earned the respect of just about everyone she 2
worked with and was honored with myriad awards and citations including the Chief Wallace F. 3
Lees Award, The RI Council of Churches Partner in Faith Award, The Blanchard McCutchen 4
Award from Post 88, and shared the honor of Citizen of the Year with her father, George; and 5
WHEREAS, Always busy as a bee, Ms. Binns enjoyed many activities including RV 6
camping in Narragansett, Cape Cod and the Coast of Maine, and trips to Georgia. She was an 7
avid reader, and loved crossword puzzles, cooking, baking and gardening, and helping anyone in 8
need; and 9
WHEREAS, Nancy Binns was “a person of the highest character and integrity” who 10
“dedicated her life to helping others” and she will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it 11
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby extends deepest 12
condolences on the passing of Nancy F. Binns; and be it further 13
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 14
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Kelly Hunt, Kathy Leveille, and Anna Collins. 15
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