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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson to honor the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio through the dedication of the Senate Chamber in his honor.
“As the Dean of the Senate, and the longest-tenured member of the General Assembly, Senate President Ruggerio left an indelible mark at the State House. His legacy in the Senate, where he served as a member for four decades, will be felt for generations to come. Honoring his incredible record of service to his constituents, the Senate, and the state of Rhode Island through the naming of the President Dominick J. Ruggerio Senate Chamber is an appropriate tribute to our dear friend,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).
“My father truly loved serving his constituents, and all Rhode Islanders, as a member of the Rhode Island Senate. He cared deeply about the Senate as an institution, and he believed strongly that those privileged to sit in the Senate Chamber have a responsibility to help improve our state and make people’s lives better. On those counts, he accomplished a great deal over the course of his career. Over the last several weeks, I have been reminded time and time again of how many people’s lives he touched, especially among his Senate family. On behalf of the entire Ruggerio family, I want to express our gratitude to President Lawson, Leader Ciccone, Whip Tikoian, and the members of the Senate and House for this tribute,” said President Ruggerio’s son, Charles Ruggerio.
Dominick J. Ruggerio, who passed away in April at the age of 76, was first elected to the Rhode Island Senate in 1984. He represented District 4, which includes parts of North Providence and Providence. Before his Senate service, he served in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1984. He was first elected President of the Senate in March 2017, having previously served as Majority Leader. He also previously served as Majority Whip and Vice Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.
The legislation (2025-S 1147) will now be sent to the Governor’s desk.
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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