Deepest Condolences on the Passing of the Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq.

WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of the Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq., of Warwick. He was the beloved husband of Akane Shirai; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan was born in Warwick, the son of the late George and Viorine Donelan. He was a graduate of Pilgrim High School, and the University of Rhode Island. He then attended and graduated from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan operated his own law practice in Warwick for many years, always offering his clients wise counsel and serving them with passion and abiding integrity; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Donelan also had a very successful public service career. He served the people living in the north end of Warwick with distinction representing the th District of the Rhode Island State Senate for fourteen years, from his election in 1990 to December 31, 2002. As a State Senator, he served as a distinguished member of the Judiciary and Labor Committees, and wrote and sponsored Rhode Island's Good Driving Statute, allowing drivers with a clean record for three years to have a new, minor moving violation dismissed; and

WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Donelan was a passionate boater who greatly enjoyed his trips to Newport and Block Island for the annual Fourth of July celebration, usually accompanied by one of his precious Golden Retrievers, KJ or Sushi. He and his wife, Akane, shared a love of travel, especially cruising, and together they explored much of the world. Mr. Donelan was known and admired for his generosity and integrity, and he was deeply respected by the countless people and organizations he supported throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Akane, Mr. Donelan leaves behind his sister, Carol Paquette, and his stepson, Kent Shirai; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the family of the Honorable James M. Donelan, Esq.