WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the untimely passing of Nicholas Alahverdian, the beloved husband to the love of his life whom he affectionately referred to as “my daisy,” a devoted and loving father to his two children, and an accomplished author and passionate child welfare reform advocate; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas Alahverdian spent much of his youth in the foster care system. During his years in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, he endured significant abuse, deprivation of education, neglect and harmful living conditions. The challenges he faced throughout those years could have irreparably shattered his life but instead, those hardships gave him understanding, passion, and drive; and

WHEREAS, More than a survivor, Nicholas endured and ultimately overcame his years in the system to become a Harvard-trained sociologist and political scientist, an accomplished author, and for two decades, one of the most vocal, outspoken and constructive advocates for reforming Rhode Island’s DCYF and the child care system; and

WHEREAS, Putting in marathon hours devoted to reform, Nicholas had worked with four DCYF directors, spent hours in General Assembly committee hearings, and was described as “A fighter in spirit but a peacemaker in practice”; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his family, writing and crusader for reform, Nicholas was a devout Roman Catholic who loved to sail, paint and read, and ornithology; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas Alahverdian led “a warrior’s life” fighting for some of the most vulnerable children in our state. Sadly, he lost his final battle against non-Hodgkin Lymphoma following complications with pneumonia but he will surely be remembered by those whose lives he strived to improve and in the hearts of those he loved; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby extends deepest condolences on the passing of Nicholas Alahverdian; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Alahverdian and Family.

Click here to view the Resolution on the Rhode Island General Assembly website.