Rhode Island House approves ceremonial resolutions, records nominations and adjourns in memory of community leaders

The Rhode Island House of Representatives met Jan. 15, 2026, took attendance (62 members present), approved the previous day’s journal and recorded a set of communications and member nominations to upcoming National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) events before adopting several condolence resolutions and adjourning in memory of community leaders.

Chairwoman Shawcross Smith delivered the invocation, asking members to “open our hearts and minds” as they performed their duties. The clerk read communications including nominations by Speaker Shekachi to send Representatives Megan Carter and William O’Brien to an overdose-prevention seminar, Representative Scott Slater to the NCSL American Leadership Conference, Representative Brandon Potter to a health-policy seminar, and Representative Lauren Kossen to a program on multisector approaches for aging. Several members were noted as unable to attend the day’s session.

The floor considered a series of ceremonial and remembrance resolutions. Representative Mesilla offered a resolution honoring former Representative and long-serving Pawtucket councilman Thomas Hodge, who died Jan. 10; Mesilla recounted Hodge’s public service and community charity, including operating the family tuxedo business. Chairman Shanley introduced a resolution expressing condolences on the passing of Warwick councilwoman Barbara Colt. Representative Carson presented a resolution commemorating the life of former Senate majority leader David R. Carlin Jr. Representative McGaw offered a resolution honoring Ambassador J. William Middendorf II for his military and diplomatic service. Representative Cortraven read a resolution and requested adjournment in memory of Kerrigan McCrory Nelson, who died after a long illness and had been active in fundraising and advocacy.

Representative Bia read a resolution recognizing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and urged colleagues that remembrance should include action on justice, nonviolence and inequality, saying in part, “His commitment to nonviolence is especially relevant in a time when anger and division can feel overwhelming.” Representative Morales introduced a resolution celebrating the 28th anniversary of FundaFest, the Rhode Island Black Storytellers’ festival, and recognized founding members and leaders including Valerie Tutson and Siobhan Chocolate Smith. Representative Dore introduced a House resolution designating Sept. 21–27, 2025, as National Surgical Technologists Week in Rhode Island and asked that the resolution be left on the desk for signatures.

The speaker then read a list of house resolutions placed on the desk; the chamber approved them by voice vote (the ayes carried). The speaker also asked if there was any objection to transmitting matters on the clerk’s desk to the governor, the senate and the secretary of state; hearing none, the transmittal was ordered. Lita Blazajewski moved that the House adjourn in memory of several people named on the floor; the motion was seconded by Lita Chippendale. Members stood for a moment of silence and the House adjourned. The clerk’s desk remained open.

Procedural and scheduling notices on the floor included a reminder that the next House session will be Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m., and an ethics training session for members with the Ethics Commission’s executive director Jason Grama scheduled the following Thursday at 3 p.m.