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HR 5058

HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE SENATOR JAMES S. D'AMBRA

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jose Batista and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island House expresses condolences and honors the life of James S. D’Ambra, recognizing his decades of public service in education and as a state legislator.

01/15/2025 House read and passed
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Bill Summary · HR 5058

Summary of HR 5058 (Rhode Island)

House Resolution 5058 expresses condolences on the passing of the Honorable James S. D’Ambra. It is a ceremonial resolution recognizing his life, public service, and contributions to Rhode Island.

Purpose and Intent

  • To formally express the Rhode Island House of Representatives’ condolences to the family and to honor the lifetime of public service and leadership of James S. D’Ambra.
  • To acknowledge D’Ambra’s roles as an educator, public servant, and longtime state legislator, and to highlight his impact on education, budgeting, and community service.

Key Provisions

  • The resolution memorializes D’Ambra’s contributions, including:
    • A distinguished career in education (teacher at Cranston West High School; Providence School Department administrator; principal at Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School).
    • Public service in Rhode Island, notably 16 years in the Rhode Island General Assembly, including service as a State Senator (District 5) and leadership positions such as Chair of the Finance Committee and later the Health, Education and Welfare Committee.
    • Involvement with community and civic organizations (Urban League, Rhode Island College Alumni Association, Rhode Island Association of Former Legislators) and public-facing community engagement (hosting a public-access TV show, “Straight Talk”; Lector at Saint Augustine’s Church; Lumen Gentium Award recipient).
  • The resolution authorizes the Secretary of State to transmit duly certified copies of the resolution to D’Ambra’s wife Laureen and his children Christine Monahan and James S. D’Ambra, Jr.

Biographical Context (as presented in the resolution)

  • Born in Providence; education from La Salle Academy and Rhode Island College (BA 1968, MA in Teaching 1972).
  • Teaching career began in 1968; administrative roles beginning in 1999 with the Providence School Department.
  • Family: married to Laureen D’Ambra for 43 years; children Christine and James Jr.; grandchildren Kameron, Elle, and Preston.
  • Community recognition and lifelong commitment to education, public service, and civic involvement.

Affected Parties

  • Family of James S. D’Ambra (spouse, children, grandchildren).
  • The Rhode Island community, educators, and public servants who benefitted from his work.
  • The Secretary of State (execution of the memorial transmission).

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 15, 2025.
  • Referred to: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
  • Status: House read and passed (passed by the House on January 15, 2025).
  • Sponsors: Primary sponsor Suhas Subramanyam; cosponsors include Robert J. Wittman, H. Morgan Griffith, Jennifer L. McClellan, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, and Ben Cline.

Notes

  • As a resolution, HR 5058 does not create statutory or fiscal obligations; its primary effect is ceremonial recognition and a formal expression of condolences.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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