HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING REPRESENTATIVE PATRICIA A. SERPA FOR HER SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, the official text

H8632 2026 -- H 8632 ======== LC006122 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N HONORING REPRESENTATIVE PATRICIA A. SERPA FOR HER SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Kazarian, Fellela, Chippendale, McEntee, Ackerman, Shallcross Smith, Lima, Costantino, and Messier Date Introduced: June 11, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed 1 WHEREAS, The Honorable Patricia A. Serpa has served with honor and distinction in 2 the Rhode Island House of Representatives for more than nineteen years, faithfully representing 3 the citizens of District 27 in the communities of West Warwick, Coventry, and Warwick since 4 first being elected in 2006; and 5 WHEREAS, Representative Serpa makes her home in the Town of West Warwick. She 6 earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Saint Joseph College and later attained a 7 Master’s degree in education from Providence College, further preparing her for a career 8 dedicated to education and public service; and 9 WHEREAS, Prior to her service in the General Assembly, Representative Serpa devoted 10 many years to educating and mentoring young people as a public school educator and admissions 11 officer, reflecting her lifelong commitment to the success and well-being of Rhode Island’s 12 students and families; and 13 WHEREAS, Representative Serpa also gained valuable experience in public service and 14 community leadership when she served for six years on the West Warwick School Committee 15 from 2000 through 2006, advocating for students, teachers, and families in her community; and 16 WHEREAS, During her tenure in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, 17 Representative Serpa has been a tireless advocate for transparency, accountability, and 18 responsible governance. Since 2016, she has served as Chairwoman of the House Oversight 19 Committee, where she has led numerous hearings and investigations addressing matters of public 1 concern and working to ensure greater accountability within state government; and 2 WHEREAS, Representative Serpa has also served the House of Representatives in 3 several additional leadership and committee roles, including as Second Vice Chair of the House 4 Rules Committee and as a member of the House Conduct Committee and the House Corporations 5 Committee; and 6 WHEREAS, Throughout her years in office, Representative Serpa has sponsored and 7 supported important legislation aimed at improving the lives of Rhode Islanders, including laws 8 prohibiting the manufacture and possession of untraceable “ghost guns,” providing compensation 9 to individuals who were wrongfully incarcerated, strengthening state procurement and bidding 10 practices, protecting consumers from unfair insurance practices, and improving election 11 administration and transparency in government operations; and 12 WHEREAS, Beyond her work in the General Assembly, Representative Serpa has 13 remained actively engaged in her community and civic organizations, including the West 14 Warwick Democratic Town Committee, the West Warwick Lions Club, the Sons of Italy, the 15 Vince Lombardi Lodge, and Defenders of Animals; and 16 WHEREAS, After many years of dedicated service to her constituents and to the State of 17 Rhode Island, Representative Serpa has announced that she will not seek reelection, concluding a 18 distinguished legislative career marked by integrity, diligence, and a steadfast commitment to 19 public service; now, therefore be it 20 RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 21 honors and thanks Representative Patricia A. Serpa for her many years of dedicated service to the 22 people of the State of Rhode Island and expresses its sincere gratitude for her leadership and 23 commitment to good government; and be it further 24 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 25 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Patricia A. Serpa. ======== LC006122 ======== LC006122 - Page 2 of 2