Rhode Island House Bill H5150

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Passed: 1/23/25

Caption

HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ALAN SHAWN FEINSTEIN, A LEGENDARY PHILANTHROPIST AND ENTREPRENEUR

Summary

H5150 is a House resolution expressing the Rhode Island House of Representatives’ condolences on the death of Alan Shawn Feinstein, a longtime Rhode Island philanthropist, entrepreneur, educator, and author. The resolution recounts his life and work, including his teaching career, his move to Rhode Island, his success in business, and his later commitment to fighting hunger and promoting education through the Feinstein Foundation and related charitable initiatives. The resolution highlights Feinstein’s creation of programs that encouraged students to perform good deeds and his support for hunger-relief efforts, noting the large sums raised through the annual Feinstein Challenge and the recognition of many student participants as Feinstein Junior Scholars. It also references the many honors he received and the schools named after him, and it concludes by formally extending sympathy to his family and directing the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to them.

Impact

This resolution does not amend state law, create new programs, or change any statutory duties. Its legal effect is ceremonial and administrative: it records the General Assembly’s official condolences and authorizes the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Feinstein family. The bill affects no regulated parties or state agencies beyond this ministerial transmission.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding H5150 is uniformly positive and respectful. The resolution itself is a tribute to Feinstein’s philanthropy, civic impact, and dedication to education and hunger relief, and the bill was introduced and passed as a House resolution without any recorded opposition, committee controversy, or vote dissent in the provided materials. The tone is one of gratitude, admiration, and mourning.

Contention

There is no notable policy contention in the bill or the available legislative history. Because H5150 is a condolence resolution rather than substantive legislation, there are no competing stakeholder positions, fiscal disputes, or legal objections reflected in the text, votes, or committee materials. Any discussion would likely have centered on honoring Feinstein’s legacy rather than debating legislative consequences.