Matthew Dawson

On the last night of the 2026 legislative session, the House said farewell to members who won't be returning next year. @repmcentee33, at times holding back tears, told @RepCraven, "you are a man of integrity and compassion, Bob. Your door is always open." She talked about Rep. Craven's calming influence on challenging issues, and how his singular goal was to help people. As she outlined some of the legislation Rep. Craven has helped pass, she noted that his "input in this room has touched countless pieces of consequential legislation and changed lives throughout Rhode Island. I know I will miss you deeply and dearly....thank you for your extensive legal knowledge, and your steadfast commitment to justice and bettering Rhode Island. When you leave this chamber, you know that you made a difference in so many lives." Rep. McEntee also introduced a resolution in Rep. Craven's honor: webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillT… Rep. Craven has served the residents of North Kingstown in District 32 since first being elected in 2012. His past public service includes being Solicitor for the Town of Foster; Assistant Solicitor for the City of East Providence; Legal Counsel to the Rhode Island Board of Elections; Assistant Attorney General, which included serving as Chief of the Rhode Island Public Corruption Unit; and Town Councilor in North Kingstown. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Rhode Island. Rep. Craven lives in Saunderstown with his wife, Susan, and they are the parents of two sons.

The General Assembly today passed legislation from @RepMSDawson and @LoriUrsoRI to protect animals from cruelty and neglect by empowering animal control officers to take immediate control of animals they find abandoned, neglected, injured or otherwise cruelly mistreated. Said Rep. Dawson, “This bill is simple and about two things, common sense and protecting defenseless animals from abandonment, abuse and neglect. While the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does fine and admirable work, these crimes happen too frequently for the Society to handle this problem on its own. And it’s common sense to empower our local animal control officers with the ability to lawfully remove animals from dangerous or abusive situations, while also being lawfully able to provide the care and assistance that the animal may need.” More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_…

During yesterday's House session, @RepMSDawson introduced a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Davey Lopes, a legendary figure in Major League Baseball and a proud native of East Providence, RI. Davey enjoyed a distinguished 16-year Major League career, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, and was widely recognized as one of the premier second basemen and base stealers in the history of the game. Rep. Dawson noted that Davey, who passed away recently at the age of 80, was one of the greatest athletes to come from Rhode Island. Rep. Scott Slater, who has a relationship with the Lopes family, commented that Davey was a wonderful, kind person and an icon in Rhode Island. The resolution is online: webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillT…