Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro
Chair, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Member, House Health and Human Services Committee
Member, House Rules Committee
Member, House Special Legislation Committee
Samuel A. Azzinaro (D) has served the residents of District 37 in Westerly
since first being elected in November 2008. He is the chairman of the House
Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and also serves as a member of the House Health
and Human Services Committee, the House Rules Committee and the House
Special Legislation Committee.
During the 2023 legislative session, Chairman Azzinaro sponsored a new law
which
explicitly gives members of the United States National Guard the same tax
benefits
available to other qualifying military veterans. The law allows National
Guard veterans to qualify for the same property tax exemptions as active
duty personnel, provided that the veteran meets the service requirements
outlined in the statute.
He also introduced a bill which would
require employers to post basic information on veterans' benefits
and services within their businesses for their employees.
In 2022,
Chairman Azzinaro’s bill which makes “stolen valor” a crime
was signed into law. The law makes it a crime to fraudulently represent
oneself as an active or veteran member of the military or armed forces for
the purpose of obtaining money, property or other tangible benefits. He was
also responsible for the
inclusion of funding for a mobile Division of Motor Vehicles unit within the
FY 2023 state budget
to serve the town of Westerly.
He was also instrumental in creating the Westerly Higher Education and Job
Skills Center. He helped to develop the concept for the center, obtain the
funding, and secured partnerships with colleges and businesses
to train individuals in high skilled manufacturing jobs.
Representative Azzinaro previously served for 12 years on the Westerly Town
Council, including four years as its president.
He served in the National Guard for four years, and was a member of the Army
Reserve for four years, including two years of active duty. He was a Staff
Sergeant E6.
Representative Azzinaro was born on January 29, 1943. The father of five is
a retired textile worker, business owner and carpenter, and resides in
Westerly with his wife, Carol. They are the parents of five children, Tami
Algiere, Amy Azzinaro, Lori Gulluscio, Samuel J. Azzinaro and Mary
Azzinaro-Banks; and are the grandparents of 11 grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren.