2025 -- H 5805
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LC002166
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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. 2025
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE P ASSING OF THE HONORABLE BRUCE M.
SELYA
Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Ajello, Chippendale, Newberry,
Kennedy, Edwards, Bennett, Potter, and Cortvriend
Date Introduced: February 27, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and regret that this House of Representatives has 1
learned of the passing of the Honorable Bruce Selya, the beloved husband of Cindy Selya, the 2
devoted father of two daughters, the very proud grandfather of six grandchildren, and a highly 3
respected member of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; and 4
WHEREAS, Born in the City of Providence, Judge Selya was the son of Herman and 5
Betty Selya. He attended Nathan Bishop Middle School and Classical High School, where he 6
excelled academically, graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University, and earning his 7
law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School; and 8
WHEREAS, After serving as a law clerk to Judge Edward W. Day of the U.S. District 9
Court for the District of Rhode Island from 1958 to 1960, Judge Selya maintained a flourishing 10
private practice in Providence for two decades while also serving as a Judge on the Lincoln 11
Probate Court from 1965 to 1972. In July of 1982, he was nominated by U.S. Senator John 12
Chafee to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, was appointed by 13
President Ronald Reagan, and confirmed by the Senate on August 18, 1982. He was later elevated 14
to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, assuming senior status in 2006, and was an 15
active senior member until his final day; and 16
WHEREAS, Earning admiration and recognition from his peers, Judge Selya merited 17
myriad professional distinctions and privileges over the course of his lifetime. He was the first 18
person of the Jewish faith to be appointed to the federal bench in Rhode Island, had authored over 19
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1,800 Judicial opinions, and was a dedicated mentor to numerous law clerks; and 1
WHEREAS, Judge Selya possessed a brilliant mind and was nationally renowned for his 2
playful writing style and vast vocabulary of arcane words fondly known as "Selyaisms". He had 3
also served on the board of a panoply of local institutions including the Jewish Federation of 4
Rhode Island, Bryant University, Roger Williams University School of Law, the Rhode Island 5
Historical Society, and was the founding Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Lifespan 6
health system; and 7
WHEREAS, Described as “a man of great wisdom, integrity, modesty, wit, and high 8
ethical standards”, the Honorable Bruce Selya had the love of his family and friends, the 9
admiration of his peers, the respect of the legal community, and the gratitude of the citizens of 10
Rhode Island, and he will be profoundly missed by those who had the good fortune to be a part of 11
his vital and fulfilling life; now, therefore be it 12
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 13
expresses deepest sympathies on the passing of the Honorable Bruce M. Selya. He will forever be 14
remembered as a highly respected and admired judge who presided with fairness and justice, and 15
served the people of Rhode Island with integrity and excellence; and be it further 16
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 17
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Cynthia Selya and Family. 18
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LC002166
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