2004 -- S 2130=======LC01005=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLYJANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2004____________

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O NEXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF OUR COLLEAGUE,REPRESENTATIVE PAUL V. SHERLOCKIntroduced By: Senators Revens, J Montalbano, McCaffrey, Walaska, and Paiva-WeedDate Introduced: January 20, 2004Referred To: Senate held on desk WHEREAS, It is with great sadness and regret that we have learned of the passing of 1Representative Sherlock; and2WHEREAS, Paul V. Sherlock grew up in Pawtucket the youngest of nine children. He3never forgot his modest beginnings and always fought hard to help the less fortunate and those in4need; and5WHEREAS, A graduate of St. Raphael Academy, Providence College and Boston6University, Representative Sherlock served his country for two years in the United States Army.7Following his service in the Military he began a long and distinguished career in the education8field and, perhaps motivated by the birth of his son, Timothy, who has Down Syndrome, devoted9much of his time trying to help those with learning disabilities and special education needs; and10WHEREAS, In 1959 Representative Sherlock became the state’s first Director of Special11Education. Soon thereafter he took a tour of the Ladd School in Exeter and was horrified at the12treatment of the students at the school. Paul Sherlock was instrumental in the decades long fight13to close the school; and14WHEREAS, Representative Sherlock went on to become a Special Education professor15at Rhode Island College and was a former President of both the Trudeau Center and the Rhode16Island Association of Retarded Citizens. Throughout his entire life Paul’s commitment and17devotion to the cause of helping those with special needs never wavered; and18WHEREAS, In 1978 Paul Sherlock was elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly19

2from the city of Warwick and was re-elected every two years thereafter. In his 25 years tenure in1the House of Representatives he became known as the “Dean of the House”. He was a leader on2special education issues and was known as the “Father of Special Education” due to his tireless3fighting on behalf of those struggling with developmental disabilities and learning disorders. Paul4later became Chairman of the House Finance Committee and championed the cause of raising the5minimum wage and helping working families. More importantly, he served his constituents and6the people of Rhode Island with honor and integrity, was a person everyone liked and was held in7the highest esteem by his colleagues and everyone who got to know him. Paul always made sure8that everyone’s voice was heard during a discussion and debate; and9WHEREAS, Representative Sherlock chaired the Special Commission to Study Gaming10and with the thoroughness of a scholar, scoured data, reports and many hours of testimony to11bring Rhode Islanders a fair and unbiased opinion on the future of gaming in the state; and12WHEREAS, Representative Sherlock was the husband of Ann, father of Kathleen13Sherlock Maclean, Timothy P. Sherlock, Martin D. Sherlock, Mary E. Sherlock, the late Patrick J.14Sherlock, brother of Mary Frances Campbell, Martina Higgins, John F. Sherlock, Jr., Angela15Brousseau, Gerald Sherlock, Henry Sherlock, Helene Mainor, the late Edward Sherlock, and was16the grandfather of four; now, therefore be it17RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations18hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the entire Sherlock family on the passing of our good19friend and colleague, Representative Paul V. Sherlock; and, be it further20RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to21transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ann Sherlock.22=======LC01005=======