2014 RI HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS WHO ARE SPONSORS OF H 7042, GMO LABELING
Representative Dennis M. Canario
(Prime Sponsor of H7042, GMO Labeling Bill)
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Member, House Judiciary Committee
Dennis M. Canario (D) has served the residents of Portsmouth, Little Compton and Tiverton in District 71 since his election in November 2012. Born on Aug. 18, 1960, he is a 1978 graduate of St. Andrew’s School in Barrington. He received an associate’s degree in criminal justice from RogerWilliamsUniversity in 1988. Representative Canario previously served six years on the Portsmouth Town Council, from 2004 to 2010, and held the position of Council President for two years. He is a retired Portsmouth police officer. A founder of the Portsmouth Police Cadet Explorer Program, he also was the Portsmouth Senior Citizens Advocate from 1997 to 2001. He is a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Rooney Council. He resides in Portsmouth with his wife, Amy. He is the father of three children: Dennis, Olivia and Jonathan.
CONTACT INFORMATION:64 Birchwood Drive, Portsmouth, RI02871 Tel. (401) 683-4926
Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro
Deputy Majority Leader
Vice Chair, House Health, Education & Welfare Committee
(Co-Sponsor of H7042)
Samuel A. Azzinaro has served the residents of District 37 in Westerly since his election in November 2008.
Rep. Azzinaro is the Secretary of the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee and is a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. His recent legislative accomplishments include the enactment of bill prohibiting the price gouging of essential commodities during an emergency.
Rep. Azzinaro previously served for 12 years on the Westerly Town Council, including four years as its President. Rep. Azzinaro was born on January 29, 1943. The father of five is a retired textile worker, business owner and carpenter, and resides in Westerly with his wife, Carol.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 24 1st Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Tel. (401) 596-1434,
OTHER 2014 HOUSE HEW COMMITT
EE MEMBERS
Representative Marvin L. Abney
Member, House Veterans' Affairs Committee
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Marvin L. Abney (D) served the residents of Newport and Middletown in District 73 since his election in November 2012. Born on Nov. 10, 1949, he attended DunbarHigh School in Texarkana, Texas, before completing his bachelor’s degree in public administration at StephenF.AustinStateUniversity in 1975. Additionally, Representative Abney earned a master’s of management from WebsterUniversity in 1982; a master’s of business administration from the University of Rhode Island in 2000. and a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership from Johnson and WalesUniversity in 2005. He also attended the Command and General Staff College in Munich, Germany in the late 1980s. In addition to his duties as a legislator, Representative Abney also serves on the Board of Governors for the Newport Health Care Corporation, the Board of Corporators for BankNewport, the Vestry & Finance Committee at St. John’sChurch and the Executive Board for the Narragansett Boy Scouts Council. Representative Abney has a long history of involvement in community organizations and board, including the Newport Zoning Board of Review, Coggeshall Elementary School Improvement Committee, SalveReginaUniversity’s Internal Review Board, First Night Newport and the MartinLutherKing Jr.Center, among others. The Women’s ResourceCenter of Newport & Bristol County also honored him at its 2010 “Men Who Make A Difference” annual gala. The representative is a retired Major of the United States Army after a 20-year Army career, including a stint as the company commander at NATO Headquarters in Belgium. He also retired from the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, where he held the position of executive assistant to the commissioner. He lives in Newport with his wife, Cheryl Lynn (Amado). He is the father of Marvin L. Abney II, U.S. Army Capt. Christian A. Abney and Tess A. Abney. He is the grandfather of three: Sierra, Jade and Mia.
CONTACT INFORMATION 12 Summer St., Newport, RI02840 (401) 487-1380
Representative Mia A. Ackerman
Member, House Health, Education and WelfareMember, House Municipal Government Committee
Mia A. Ackerman (D) has served the residents of Cumberland and Lincoln in District 45 since her election in November 2012. Born on March 28, 1965, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political economics from the State University of New York at Binghamton. In addition to her duties as a legislator, Representative Ackerman is a self-employed real estate title examiner. Her past public service includes six years on the Cumberland Town Council from 2006 to 2012, as well as serving on the Cumberland Juvenile Hearing Board from 2003 to 2006. She also has a hand in several community organizations, serving as a member of both the Cumberland Land Trust and the Cumberland School Volunteers, as well as the Board of Directors for the historic Franklin Farm in Cumberland. She was a Liaison to the Cumberland Youth Commission and was a former member of theJ.J.McLaughlinElementary School Executive PTO Board. Representative Ackerman resides in Cumberland with her husband, Barry, and their two children, Samuel and Elicia. CONTACT INFORMATION6 Shelter Lane, Cumberland, RI02864(401) 658-0981
Representative Gregg M. Amore
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Member, House Municipal Government Committee
Gregg M. Amore (D) has served the residents of East Providence in District 65 since his election in November 2012. Born on October 28, 1966, he graduated from East ProvidenceHigh School in 1984 before continuing his education at ProvidenceCollege, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1988. In 2010, he earned a master’s degree in public policy from New EnglandCollege. Rep. Amore was the author of successful legislation that requires health plans to cover oral treatments for cancer at a rate comparable to standard intravenous chemotherapy. This bill puts emerging oral chemotherapy treatments on par with IV treatments, protecting patients’ accessibility to medicine and preventing additional financial hardship. He also was chosen to participate in the 2013-14 Early Learning Fellows program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures. He is one of 35 legislators from across the nation who is exploring the latest research and state policy ideas involving early education. In addition to his duties as a legislator, Representative Amore is a history teacher at East ProvidenceHigh School. His previously served on the East Providence Democratic City Committee. In 2008, Representative Amore wasrecognized asthe Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2005, he was the head coach of the East ProvidenceHigh School hockey team which won the Division III State Championship with an undefeated season. He serves on the Board of Directors for the East Providence Education Association and the Friends of Townie Athletics. He is also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Rhode Island High School Hockey Coaches Association.Rep. Amore resides in East Providence with his wife, Lee (Smith), and their two children, Tess and Megan. CONTACT INFORMATION: 73 Plymouth Road, East Providence, RI(401) 339-9378
Representative David A. Bennett
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Member, House Committee on Municipal Government
Member, Joint Committee on Healthcare Oversight
David A. Bennett has served District 20 in Warwick since being elected in November 2010. An Orthopedic Technologist and Psychiatric Nurse, Representative Bennett is a member of the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee, the Joint Committee on Healthcare Oversight and the House Environment & Natural Resources Committee. Among his accomplishments is the enactment of his legislation in 2012 which raises the state’s minimum wage by 35 cents to $7.75 per hour, the first increase in seven years. In 2011, he successfully legislated a bill requiring nursing license applicants and nurses seeking employment to undergo a federal and state criminal background check. He also sponsored a bill which was enacted to provide a medical parole procedure for inmates who are severely ill. A graduate of Toll Gate High School, the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island, he is a member of the American Nurses Association, Rhode Island Nurses Association, the Sierra Club and Apponaug Old Timers. Rep. Bennett was born on April 8, 1955. He resides in Warwick with his wife Ann and daughter, Giana.
CONTACT INFORMATION 27 Shippee Avenue , Warwick, RI02886 (401) 737-0562
Representative Maria E. Cimini
Secretary, House Health, Education & Welfare Committee
Member, House Environment & Natural Resources Committee
Member, House Commission to Study Public Higher Education Affordability
Maria E. Cimini has served the residents of District 7, Providence, since being elected in November 2010.
In her capacity as Representative, Cimini serves as a member of the Environment & Natural Resources Committee and the Health, Education & Welfare Committee.
She received the highest grade in the General Assembly on the 2012 Common Cause Legislative Scorecard, which is based on a two-year voting record of a number of government reform issues.
Representative Cimini graduated from BishopKeoughHigh School in 1994. She received her B.A. in Political Science and her Master’s in Social Work degree, both from Rhode IslandCollege, in 2002 and 2005 respectively. Representative Cimini is a Coordinator for the FeinsteinCenter for a Hunger Free America and a Research Associate at the University of Rhode Island. Rep. Cimini was born was born on August 26, 1976. She is married to Jay Weber and they live in Providence.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 160 Canton St., Providence, RI02908 (401) 421-1404
Representative Arthur J. Corvese
Deputy Majority Leader
Chair, House Rules Committee
Vice Chair, House Oversight Committee
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Arthur J. Corvese is a Democrat who has represented District 55 in North Providence since 1998. Rep. Corvese serves as a Deputy Majority Leader. He is also Chair of the House Rules Committee, Vice Chair of House Oversight and a member of the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee.
Rep. Corvese served on the North Providence School Committee from 1987 to 1998. He is a member of the North Providence Democratic Town Committee and he is the Secretary of the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee. An optometrist, he is a member of both the American and Rhode Island Optometric Associations. A graduate of North ProvidenceHigh School, Rep. Corvese obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from ProvidenceCollege in 1977 and he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 1981. Rep. Corvese was born on January 14, 1956. He lives in North Providence with his wife, Terry, and they have two children, Maria Rose and Christina Maria.
CONTACT INFORMATION 234 Lexington AvenueNorth Providence, RI02904 (401) 353-8695
Representative Grace Diaz(Deputy Chairperson)
Vice Chair,House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Secretary, House Rules Committee
Chair, Legislative Commission on Child Care
Member, House Commission to Study Public Higher Education Affordability
Grace Diaz (D) has represented the people of District 11 in Providence since 2005, after being elected to the seat in November 2004. In 2012, Rep. Diaz sponsored abill enacted into law which prevents children from receiving out-of-school suspensions for attendance issues. In addition to her service as a Representative, Diaz was appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the RI Democratic Party in 2008. A consultant for Ready to Learn, Providence, Rep. Diaz holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Springfield College which she earned in 2008 and 2010 respectively.A native of the Dominican Republic, she graduated from Los Angeles Custodios High School in 1977. She is also a member of WAND and NOW, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, Women in Government, National Hispanic State Legislators and the RI Black and Latino Caucus. Rep. Diaz has five children: Maria, Gisselle, Ruben, Felix and Cristian, and three grandchildren: Nehemiah, Kariana and Xavier.
CONTACT INFORMATION: District 11, Providence. E-Mail:
Representative Arthur Handy
Chair, House Environment & Natural Resources Committee
Arthur Handy (D) represents District 18, Cranston. He was first elected in November 2002. Rep. Handy is the chairman of the House Environment & Natural Resources Committee and is a member of the Health, Education and Welfare Committee.Rep. Handy was the primary sponsor of the House same-sex marriage bill that became law in 2013. Rep. Handy introduced the legislation in the House for each of the previous 11 years.
In 2012, Rep. Handy sponsored a bill enacted into law which requires any place of public accommodation that provides a television for public viewing to keep closed-captioning activated on the TV, upon request of any guest or patron.He graduated from the University of Miami (Fla.) in 1990 with his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Rep. Handy was born on February 15, 1967. He is married to Patricia DiPrete and they have a son, Alexander.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 26 Welfare Avenue, Cranston, RI02910
Tel. (401) 785-8996,
Representative James N. McLaughlin
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Member, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
James N. McLaughlin (D) represents District 57 in Cumberland and Central Falls. He was first elected in November 2010. A member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Rep. McLaughlin served in the United States Army and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 2012, his legislation creates a commission to designate monuments for historical and cultural significance. This addressed a controversy in Woonsocket over a cross displayed in front of Fire Department headquarters. Rep. McLauglin is a member of PGK South Attleboro Knights of Columbus, P.A.V, Our Lady Fatima Holy Name Society, and the St. Thomas Council. A retired auto-body man and automotive technician, Rep. McLaughlin has Rhode Island Trades certification in Automotive and Auto Body Certification and Rhode Island Radio and Electronics. He was born on November 6, 1943. He is married to Gilda Rose McLaughlin, and they have three children.
CONTACT INFORMATION, 15 Garden St. , Cumberland, RI02864 , (401) 333-4946
Representative Joseph M. McNamara
Chairperson, Health, Education and Welfare Committee, Member, Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Member, Joint Committee on Healthcare Oversight
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D) represents District 19 in Warwick and Cranston. First elected in November 1994, Rep. McNamara is the Chairman of the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee.
In 2012, he was the sponsor of successful legislation which requires a background check for people seeking to participate in mentoring programs. His Statewide Virtual Education Act was signed into law in 2012 to promote the use of virtual courses as part of public education in the state. Rep. McNamara is a member of the New England Board of Higher Education. He was one of two House members to receive the Rhode Island Hospitality Association’s Hospitality Ambassadors of the Year Award in 2012, being cited for his legislation affecting trans-fats in foods. Also in 2012, he was honored with the Thomas A. Lamb Home Advocacy Award by the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care; the Tracey A. Kennedy Leadership in Advocacy Award by the RI affiliate of the American Heart Association; and was recognized by the American Cancer Society for Lifetime Achievement in Tobacco Control. Rep. McNamara has a long history of service through his involvement with a number of organizations. He is a member of the Irish Social Club, the former President of the Governors Golf League, and is a member of the Warwick Firefighters Association. He also previously served as an Explorer Advisor for the Boy Scouts of America and the Committee Chairman of Pack 4. Additionally he is involved with Save the Bay, the Gaspee Day Committee, the Wyman P.T.A, and the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scouts.Rep. McNamara is a retired educator, previously serving as the Director of the Pawtucket School Department’s Alternative Learning Program. e received his Master of Education degree from ProvidenceCollege. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at BostonUniversity graduated from PilgrimHigh School in Warwick. Rep. McNamara was born on September 7, 1950. He is married to Diane they have two children, William Katie.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 23 Howie Avenue , Warwick, RI02888(401) 941-8319
Representative Brian C. Newberry
House Minority Leader
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
Member, House Municipal Government Committee
Brian C. Newberry (R) represents District 48 in North Smithfield and Burrillville. He was elected House Minority Leader, the highest ranking Republican in the House, in May 2011.
First elected in District 48 in November 2008, Leader Newberry previously served as Minority Whip. Leader Newberry is a member of the House Labor Committee and House Rules Committee. He also serves on the House Municipal Government Committee.
An attorney specializing in commercial litigation and professional malpractice defense, Leader Newberry is a Partner in the law firm of Donovan Hatem LLP. He earned his Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, from Temple University School of Law, in 1996. Leader Newberry received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993 and earned his high school diploma at Choate Rosemary Hall in 1989.
A Little League and Soccer Association Coach, and member of Central Congregational Church, Leader Newberry is the former Vice-Chairman of the North Smithfield Republican Town Committee and was the former Chairman of the North Smithfield Juvenile Hearing Board.
Born on December 10, 1971, he is married to Elizabeth and they have three children, Diane, Liam and Aidan.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 53 Follett Street, North Smithfield, RI02896 (401) 222-2259
Representative William W. O’Brien
Member, House Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Member, House Health, Education and Welfare Committee
William W. O’Brien (D) has served the residents of North Providence in District 54 since his election in November 2012. Born on July 27, 1969, he is a 1987 graduate of North ProvidenceHigh School and then graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rhode IslandCollege in 1991. He later studied at ProvidenceCollege, the University of Rhode Island and FloridaInternationalUniversity.
In addition to his duties as a legislator, Representative O’Brien is a math teacher at HopeHigh School in Providence. He served in the Peace Corps in South Africa from 1998 to 2000 and was a North Providence Jets youth football coach for 12 years.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 626 Smithfield Road , North Providence, RI02904(401) 440-4063
House Committee on Health, Education and WelfareLegislator / Appointment / E-mail
Representative Marvin L. Abney, NewportMiddletown, District 73 / Member /
Representative Mia A. Ackerman Cumberland & Lincoln, District 45 / Member /
Representative Gregg Amore East Providence, District 65 / Member /
Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro
District 37 in Westerly / Vice Chairperson /
Representative David A. Bennett,
Warwick, District 20 / Member /
Representative Dennis M. Canario District 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton & Tiverton / Member /