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TO RECOGNIZE PATRICK J. KENNEDY II, FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FOR RHODE ISLAND'S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO EXTEND TO HIM A CORDIAL WELCOME TO THE PALMETTO STATE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS ADDRESS AT THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS/MICHELIN LUNCHEON, TO BE HELD MAY 7, 2016, IN GREENVILLE.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy II will travel to the Palmetto State on May 7, 2016, to speak at the National Alliance on Mental Illness/Michelin luncheon, part of the Southeastern Symposium on Mental Health. The symposium, to be held May 6-7, 2016, in Greenville, is one of numerous events across the nation marking May as Mental Health Month; and
Whereas, the younger son of longtime Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy followed in the footsteps of many members of his family who have served in elected office. During his years in the U.S. House of Representatives, he served on the House Armed Services and Natural Resources committees before being appointed to the Appropriations Committee; and
Whereas, he was a founder of the Congressional Down Syndrome and 21st Century Healthcare caucuses and a vice chairman of the Native American Caucus, as well as a member of several other caucuses. In addition, Mr. Kennedy was a founder of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse and chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for two years; and
Whereas, for his outstanding work in the portrayal of mental health issues, Patrick Kennedy has been selected to receive a 2016 Mental Health America (MHA) Media Award, to be presented on June 9, 2016, at the MHA Media Awards Luncheon, which is part of MHA's annual conference. His book, A Common Struggle, tells his personal story of "coming out" about suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction, his long journey to recovery, and his reflections on the current state of America's mental healthcare system. During his sixteen-year career representing Rhode Island in Congress, he fought a national battle to end medical and societal discrimination against these illnesses, highlighted by his lead sponsorship of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008--and his brave openness about his own health challenges; and
Whereas, Mr. Kennedy is also founder of the Kennedy Forum, which unites the community of mental health, and he co-founded One Mind for Research, a global leader in open science collaboration in brain research; and
Whereas, he finds strength for his duties in the strong support of his family: his wife, Amy; and their children, Harper Petitgout, Owen Patrick Kennedy, Nora Kara Kennedy, and Nell Elizabeth Kennedy; and
Whereas, the members of the Senate would like to extend to former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy II a warm welcome to South Carolina and wish him a pleasant and rewarding visit to our State as he speaks at the National Alliance on Mental Illness/Michelin luncheon. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize Patrick J. Kennedy II, former U.S. Representative for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district, for his many years of dedicated public service and extend to him a cordial welcome to the Palmetto State upon the occasion of his address at the National Alliance on Mental Illness/Michelin luncheon, to be held May 7, 2016, in Greenville.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Patrick J. Kennedy II.
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