H 8632

2026 -- H 8632
========
LC006122
========
  STATE  OF      RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  HOUSE RESOLUTION
   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
1WHEREAS, 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
5WHEREAS, 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
9WHEREAS, 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
13WHEREAS, 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
16WHEREAS, 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
2WHEREAS, 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
6WHEREAS, 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
12WHEREAS, 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
16WHEREAS, 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
20RESOLVED, 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
24RESOLVED, 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