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3/19/2026
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Senate Chamber dedicated to President Ruggerio
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 STATE HOUSE, Providence – The Rhode Island Senate welcomed the family of the late President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio to today’s session as the Senate Chamber was formally dedicated in his memory.
The unveiling of the plaque designating the room as “The President Dominick J. Ruggerio Senate Chamber” was preceded by consideration of a resolution in Ruggerio’s honor, as well as a resolution marking the occasion of St. Joseph’s Day on Thursday.
The Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, Bishop of Providence, offered the Invocation at the beginning of session and a special blessing following the unveiling.
Every General Officer and every living former President of the Senate was in attendance for the dedication, as were numerous former senators who served alongside President Ruggerio.
Legislation sponsored last year by President of the Senate Valarie J. Lawson officially renamed the Chamber.
“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. Since his passing, 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, the members of the Senate and House, and Governor McKee for this tribute,” said President Ruggerio’s son, Charles Ruggerio.
Dominick J. Ruggerio passed away April 21, 2025, at the age of 76. 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 and served until his passing, having previously served as Majority Leader. He also previously served as Majority Whip and Vice Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.
PHOTO CAPTION: Charles Ruggerio and Amanda Fallon, children of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, take part in Thursday’s unveiling of a plaque dedicating “The President Dominick J. Ruggerio Senate Chamber.”
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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