Would be First Female Public Defender in Rhode Island History
Last week, Governor Chafee announced his nomination of Mary S. McElroy, a career public defender with nearly twenty years of experience at the state and federal level, for Rhode Island Public Defender. McElroy would be the first woman to hold the position since it was established in 1941.
“Mary McElroy has extensive experience as both a state and federal public defender,” Governor Chafee said. “Over the course of her accomplished career, she has gained invaluable knowledge of the judicial system and its workings and is highly regarded on both sides of the courtroom. I am confident that Mary will live up to the high standards set by her predecessor, the beloved John Hardiman.”
“I am proud and humbled that Governor Chafee has entrusted me with the important duty of ensuring the rights of the people of Rhode Island,” McElroy said.
McElroy has been an active member of the Rhode Island legal community for two decades. After graduating from Providence College, where she was a member of the Liberal Arts Honors Program, McElroy attended Suffolk University School of Law, from which she received her J.D., cum laude, in 1992 and received the American Jurisprudence Award. She then clerked for the Honorable Donald F. Shea of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and spent a year as an associate with the Providence firm Tate & Elias.
From 1994 to 2006, McElroy served as Assistant Public Defender in the Office of the Rhode Island Public Defender. In this role, she represented indigent defendants charged in felony cases, conducted felony jury trials in Rhode Island Superior Court, and assisted mentally ill and chemically dependent clients in securing treatment alternatives to incarceration.
Since 2006, McElroy has served as Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Office of the Federal Defender for the U.S. District of Rhode Island. In this capacity, she has represented indigent defendants in criminal matters in federal court, managed each aspect of the criminal process from arraignment to trial and sentencing, and conducted suppression hearings, sentencing hearings, and felony jury trials – among other responsibilities.
McElroy is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Bar of the U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, and the Bar of the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She is currently President-elect of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Supporting Arts Education for Rhode Island’s Students
Governor Speaks at Rhode Island State Council on the Arts’ $10,000 Bank of America Grant Announcement
Since 2010, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)’s Big Yellow School Bus program has helped transport over 24,900 students to 233 different events across Rhode Island. In 2011 alone, 10,000 Rhode Island students from over one-hundred schools were transported to arts and cultural events throughout the state.
Last week, RISCA announced that Bank of America has given a $10,000 grant to the Big Yellow School Bus program. The Governor spoke of the benefits the service provides Rhode Island’s young people, recalling the important role exposure to the arts played in his own education, and thanked Bank of America for making it possible.
Because of the generosity of businesses like Bank of America, Rhode Island students are able to visit museums such as the RISD Museum and the Newport Art Museum, take trips to the Stadium Theatre and the Museum of Work and Culture, and attend student performances of the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
As school districts across the state face funding challenges, programs like RISCA’s Big Yellow School Bus can provide students with opportunities they might not otherwise have in arts education.
Since 2010, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)’s Big Yellow School Bus program has helped transport over 24,900 students to 233 different events across Rhode Island. In 2011 alone, 10,000 Rhode Island students from over one-hundred schools were transported to arts and cultural events throughout the state.
Last week, RISCA announced that Bank of America has given a $10,000 grant to the Big Yellow School Bus program. The Governor spoke of the benefits the service provides Rhode Island’s young people, recalling the important role exposure to the arts played in his own education, and thanked Bank of America for making it possible.
Because of the generosity of businesses like Bank of America, Rhode Island students are able to visit museums such as the RISD Museum and the Newport Art Museum, take trips to the Stadium Theatre and the Museum of Work and Culture, and attend student performances of the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
As school districts across the state face funding challenges, programs like RISCA’s Big Yellow School Bus can provide students with opportunities they might not otherwise have in arts education.
Brain Injury Awareness Month: Sarah Jane Comes to Rhode Island
On March 14, Governor Chafee, along with Congressman Cicilline and Congressman Langevin, welcomed Sarah Jane Donohue and her father, Patrick Donohue, Esq. to Rhode Island to tell their story about pediatric brain injury. Mr. Donahue talked openly about the tragic pediatric acquired brain injury his daughter Sarah Jane suffered after she was shaken by her baby nurse when she was just five days old. Along with Dr. Carole Jenny and Dr. Victor Pedro, Patrick and Sarah conveyed a message of hope in raising awareness about the leading cause of death and disability for young people in America.
Each year, over 765,000 new brain injuries occur, with 80,000 hospitalizations and over 11,000 deaths. Representatives Langevin and Cicilline are co-sponsoring federal legislation, HR 2600, which would allocate $2.9 billion to prevent and treat brain injuries in American young people. If passed, the legislation will bring more than $32 million to Rhode Island to research and track treatments for brain injuries.
“The $32 million in funding that would come to Rhode Island as a result of this legislation will fuel the exciting and important work already being done in one of the most promising sectors of our economy: the ‘meds and eds,’” said Governor Chafee. “One of our premier economic assets is our abundance of world-class hospitals, such as Hasbro Children’s Hospital, which has been designated the Lead State Center for the National Acquired Brain Injury Plan.”
Each year, over 765,000 new brain injuries occur, with 80,000 hospitalizations and over 11,000 deaths. Representatives Langevin and Cicilline are co-sponsoring federal legislation, HR 2600, which would allocate $2.9 billion to prevent and treat brain injuries in American young people. If passed, the legislation will bring more than $32 million to Rhode Island to research and track treatments for brain injuries.
“The $32 million in funding that would come to Rhode Island as a result of this legislation will fuel the exciting and important work already being done in one of the most promising sectors of our economy: the ‘meds and eds,’” said Governor Chafee. “One of our premier economic assets is our abundance of world-class hospitals, such as Hasbro Children’s Hospital, which has been designated the Lead State Center for the National Acquired Brain Injury Plan.”
Governor Joins CCRI & National Grid to Announce Scholarships to Energy Certificate Program
Program will be Funded by U.S. Department of Energy Grant; National Grid Gives Eight Scholarships
Last week, the Governor spoke at the presentation of scholarships to CCRI’s first-ever energy utility technology certificate class and congratulated the scholarship recipients. The program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. In addition, National Grid generously donated funds for eight scholarships to the program.
“This is an outstanding example of a successful partnership between the Federal government, a state academic institution, and the private sector,” said Governor Chafee. “In these difficult economic times, all of these partners have collaborated to train hard-working, committed students for good-paying jobs in a high-demand field.”
Last week, the Governor spoke at the presentation of scholarships to CCRI’s first-ever energy utility technology certificate class and congratulated the scholarship recipients. The program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. In addition, National Grid generously donated funds for eight scholarships to the program.
“This is an outstanding example of a successful partnership between the Federal government, a state academic institution, and the private sector,” said Governor Chafee. “In these difficult economic times, all of these partners have collaborated to train hard-working, committed students for good-paying jobs in a high-demand field.”
Friday, March 9, 2012
Highlighting Rhode Island's Economic Potential
Governor Meets with Two Local Businesses as Part of Focus on Improving RI’s Economy
Continuing his outreach to Rhode Island businesses and focus on economic development, Governor Chafee toured both Pontiac Mills in Warwick and Taco, Inc., in Cranston this past week. Along with Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, the Governor met with the owners of Pontiac Mills to discuss ways in which the state could support its restoration. Pontiac Mills was heavily damaged during the 2010 flood. The Governor has vowed to do whatever he can to help the effort to revitalize the mill and bring new jobs to the area.
One of the possibilities mentioned was the reinstatement of the historic tax credit. With the recent approval of the runway expansion project at T.F. Green airport, which is located only seven minutes from the Pontiac Mills, the potential is great for growth at both Pontiac Mills and the renovated NYLO hotel.
Continuing his outreach to Rhode Island businesses and focus on economic development, Governor Chafee toured both Pontiac Mills in Warwick and Taco, Inc., in Cranston this past week. Along with Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, the Governor met with the owners of Pontiac Mills to discuss ways in which the state could support its restoration. Pontiac Mills was heavily damaged during the 2010 flood. The Governor has vowed to do whatever he can to help the effort to revitalize the mill and bring new jobs to the area.
One of the possibilities mentioned was the reinstatement of the historic tax credit. With the recent approval of the runway expansion project at T.F. Green airport, which is located only seven minutes from the Pontiac Mills, the potential is great for growth at both Pontiac Mills and the renovated NYLO hotel.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Governor Celebrates Leadership Rhode Island’s 2012 Inspiring Leaders Awards
Governor Honors Rhode Island College Student as Emerging Leader for Efforts in Raising Awareness about the Dangers of Bullying
The Governor spoke at the Leadership Rhode Island 2012 Inspiring Leaders Awards Luncheon on March 8 and presented the “Emerging Leader” award to Rhode Island College student Amanda Hannon.
“As all of you know, some of Rhode Island’s foremost leaders in a variety of fields are graduates of Leadership Rhode Island. As we work to get our economy back on track and get our people back to work, the alumni of this organization will be key partners, using the lessons and values they learned here to improve Rhode Island,” said Governor Chafee in his remarks. “Leadership Rhode Island continues to contribute so much to the civic life of our state, and the legacy of its founders and alumni is worthy of celebration.”
The Governor also introduced Ms. Hannon, the 2012 recipient of the “Emerging Leader” award. Ms. Hannon started a local chapter of Stop Bullying Now!, a national campaign that strives to teach students and parents about the effects of bullying, when she was just seventeen years old. Named Miss Teen Rhode Island in 2009, Ms. Hannon was recognized for her efforts in the community by YWCA Northern Rhode Island, which presented her with a Women of Achievement Award in 2010. She volunteers her time working with disabled students at Rhode Island College’s Sherlock Center.
“Each year, Leadership Rhode Island presents this award to an outstanding young person whose vision, dedication, and leadership qualities have inspired others to take action to create community change, and that is certainly true of today’s recipient,” stated Governor Chafee.
The Governor spoke at the Leadership Rhode Island 2012 Inspiring Leaders Awards Luncheon on March 8 and presented the “Emerging Leader” award to Rhode Island College student Amanda Hannon.
“As all of you know, some of Rhode Island’s foremost leaders in a variety of fields are graduates of Leadership Rhode Island. As we work to get our economy back on track and get our people back to work, the alumni of this organization will be key partners, using the lessons and values they learned here to improve Rhode Island,” said Governor Chafee in his remarks. “Leadership Rhode Island continues to contribute so much to the civic life of our state, and the legacy of its founders and alumni is worthy of celebration.”
The Governor also introduced Ms. Hannon, the 2012 recipient of the “Emerging Leader” award. Ms. Hannon started a local chapter of Stop Bullying Now!, a national campaign that strives to teach students and parents about the effects of bullying, when she was just seventeen years old. Named Miss Teen Rhode Island in 2009, Ms. Hannon was recognized for her efforts in the community by YWCA Northern Rhode Island, which presented her with a Women of Achievement Award in 2010. She volunteers her time working with disabled students at Rhode Island College’s Sherlock Center.
“Each year, Leadership Rhode Island presents this award to an outstanding young person whose vision, dedication, and leadership qualities have inspired others to take action to create community change, and that is certainly true of today’s recipient,” stated Governor Chafee.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
In the Year of Cities and Towns, Community Involvement Matters
Governor Speaks at Greater Providence YMCA Kick-Off Breakfast, Praises the Organization’s Unique and Important Role in Communities Across RI
Governor Chafee delivered the keynote address at the Greater Providence YMCA Kick-Off Breakfast on March 7. He thanked volunteers and staff for their commitment to helping Providence and other Rhode Island communities and highlighted the strong partnerships between the state and the organization.
“The YMCA was originally founded as an organization that could provide a protecting, enriching environment for rural men and women drawn to major cities for industrial work. Nearly two centuries later, in 10,000 communities across the country, the YMCA remains a safe haven, a place where young people and adults can find a range of important services and opportunities, as well as a sense of community,” said Governor Chafee.
“I can confidently say that what you do every day as an organization—in conjunction with your partners, collaborators, and investors—will pay off in the long run for our communities,” concluded Governor Chafee.
The YMCA serves more than 75,000 Rhode Islanders, providing health and wellness programming to children, adults, and families.
Governor Chafee delivered the keynote address at the Greater Providence YMCA Kick-Off Breakfast on March 7. He thanked volunteers and staff for their commitment to helping Providence and other Rhode Island communities and highlighted the strong partnerships between the state and the organization.
“The YMCA was originally founded as an organization that could provide a protecting, enriching environment for rural men and women drawn to major cities for industrial work. Nearly two centuries later, in 10,000 communities across the country, the YMCA remains a safe haven, a place where young people and adults can find a range of important services and opportunities, as well as a sense of community,” said Governor Chafee.
“I can confidently say that what you do every day as an organization—in conjunction with your partners, collaborators, and investors—will pay off in the long run for our communities,” concluded Governor Chafee.
The YMCA serves more than 75,000 Rhode Islanders, providing health and wellness programming to children, adults, and families.
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