Honoring Representative David Morales for His Service to the People of the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Honorable David Morales was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2020 to represent the residents of District 7 in the City of Providence, including the Mount Pleasant, Valley, and Elmhurst neighborhoods, and has served his constituents with energy, dedication, and a strong commitment to public service; and

WHEREAS, Representative Morales serves as a member of the House Labor Committee, the House Innovation and Technology Committee, and the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee, and in 2025 was elected Co-Chair of the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (RIBLIA) Caucus; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his legislative service, Representative Morales has been a strong advocate for Rhode Island workers and families, sponsoring legislation to ban tip theft, prohibit employers from threatening to report an employee’s immigration status in retaliation for whistleblowing, extend the winter utility shut-off moratorium, and help prevent childhood lead poisoning by allowing tenants exposed to hazardous lead conditions to place rent in escrow until repairs are completed; and

WHEREAS, Representative Morales has also championed legislation to improve access to affordable health care, including laws prohibiting insurers from charging copayments for COVID-19 treatment and vaccinations and capping the cost of certain specialty medications used to treat serious illnesses; and

WHEREAS, In the 2025 legislative session, Representative Morales sponsored the Freedom to Read Act, legislation protecting libraries and their patrons from partisan book- banning efforts and affirming the free speech rights of authors, publishers, and readers throughout Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Representative Morales has also supported numerous legislative initiatives and state budget priorities benefiting Rhode Islanders, including efforts to expand access to health coverage for low-income children, strengthen public education funding, support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and public libraries, and enhance protections for workers, tenants, and consumers; and

WHEREAS, Born on September 16, 1998, Representative Morales was raised by a single immigrant mother in Soledad, California. He graduated from Soledad High School in 2016, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of California, Irvine, and in 2019 became the youngest graduate in the history of the Brown University Public Affairs master’s program; and

WHEREAS, Representative Morales currently serves as Director of Community Programs at the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council and is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, and he holds the distinction of being the youngest Latino ever elected to a state legislature; and

WHEREAS, Inspired by his upbringing and lived experience, Representative Morales has been a passionate advocate for public education, labor rights, and policies that expand opportunity and economic security for working families; and

WHEREAS, Outside of his legislative and professional responsibilities, Representative Morales has competed as a professional wrestler with the Renegade Wrestling Alliance, where he is a two-time HYPE Champion, demonstrating determination and discipline both inside and outside of public service; and

WHEREAS, Representative Morales has announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Providence, seeking to continue his public service on behalf of the residents of Rhode Island’s capital city; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors and thanks Representative David Morales for his dedicated service to the people of the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island, and wishes him the very best health, happiness, and success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable David Morales.