M. TERESA PAIVA WEED
President of the Senate
M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D – District 13, Jamestown , Newport ) was first elected to the Rhode Island Senate in 1992. In January 2009, Senator Paiva Weed was elected by her colleagues to serve as President of the Senate. Senator Paiva Weed is the first woman in Rhode Island 's history to serve in this capacity.
Before becoming Senate President, Senator Paiva Weed served as Rhode Island 's first female Senate Majority Leader, a position she held for four years. She had previously served as Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee from 2002 through January 2004. From 2000 to 2002, she served as Deputy Chair of the Finance Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Environment. From 1997 through 2000, she served as the Senate's first woman Chair of the Judiciary Committee. Prior to her election to the Senate, Ms. Paiva Weed was Chairwoman of the Newport Affordable Housing Commission, and she has served as a member of the Newport Democratic City Committee since 1988.
In her second Senate term, Senator Paiva Weed led the legislative effort to reform the Rhode Island welfare system. During her tenure as Chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee, she was instrumental in the passage of legislation that changed the manner in which judges are selected to a merit-based process. As Vice Chairwoman of the Finance Committee, she was involved in sensitive state budget negotiations. In addition, she has won passage of many landmark bills, such as the Family Independence Act, and legislation restructuring the Victim's Compensation Fund.
President Paiva Weed has served on the Senate Commission on Judicial Selection, the Senate Oil Spill Commission, the Rhode Island Trust and Investment Commission, the Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Rhode Island Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline, the Supreme Task Force to Examine the Administrative Adjudication Court, the Governor's Juvenile Justice Task Force, and the Senate Select Commission on Quasi Public Agencies.
Senate President Paiva Weed has been recognized by the Governor's Council on Disabilities, the Governor's Council on Tourism, the National Association of Social Workers, the Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy, the Newport County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), United Way, the Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Centers, the Rhode Island Ambassador of Hospitality and Tourism, and the Newport and Jamestown Business and Professional Women's Club.
Senate President Paiva Weed is an attorney from Newport.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
| Office of the President of the Senate 318 State House Providence , Rhode Island 02903 |
Phone : (401) 222-3310 Fax : (401) 222-1306 Email : sen-paivaweed@rilin.state.ri.us |
Experience |
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2009-Present President of the Senate 2004-Present Ex Officio member of All Senate Committees 2004-2009 Senate Majority Leader 2002-2004 Vice Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Finance 2002-2004 Deputy Chair, Senate Finance Subco m mittee on Public Safety and the Environment 1997-2000 Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Judiciary 1993-2004 Member, Senate Committee on Labor 1986–1987 Chairwoman, Newport Affordable Housing Commission
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Education |
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1981-1984 Catholic University Law School, Washington , DC 1977-1981 Providence College, Providence , RI 1973-1977 Rogers High School, Newport , RI
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AWARDS |
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2009 Rhode Island Commission on Women 2009 Extraordinary Woman Award Committee Extraordinary Woman Award 2009 Rhode Island Human Resource Management Public Servant Award 2009 Rhode Island State Council of SHRM Outstanding Public Servant Award 2008 Justice Assistance Award 2008 Atria Aquidneck Place Enhancing Lives, Exceeding Expectations Award 2008 D.A.R.E. of Rhode Island Award for legislative leadership in the Rhode Island State Senate 2008 Dorcas Place Government Service Award Award for legislative leadership in the Rhode Island State Senate 2007 Clean Water Action/Ocean State Action and Environment 2007 The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence Award for Dedicated Service in Fight to End Domestic Violence 2007 The Rhode Island Public Health Association Award for Dedicated Leadership Toward Improving Public Health in RI 2007 RIcares Award in Recognition of Continued Support 2007 CCRI Foundation's Changing Lives Celebration Community Servant Award 2006 The National Guard Association's Charles Dick Medal of Merit Award in Recognition of Legislative Efforts to Benefit Members of the Military 2006 The Alliance for Better Long Term Care 2006 Legislative Champion Award 2006 The Environmental Council of Rhode Island Energy Star Award 2006 NRI Community Service, Inc. Award for Outstanding Community Service 2006 RI Dept. of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Certificate of Appreciation 2006 Audubon Society of Rhode Island Legislative Leadership Award 2006 Rhode Island Health Care Association 2006 Dr. John J. Cunningham Award 2005 Rhode Island Business & Professional Women The Rhode Island BPW Women of Achievement Award 2005 The Governor's Commission on Disabilities John E. Fogarty Memorial Award 2005 Members & Pastors of New Beginnings Praise & Worship Center Award for Sincere Appreciation of Untiring & Devoted Efforts 2005 Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care Legislator of the Year 2005 The Clothing Collaborative Certificate of Appreciation 2005 Community Provider Network of Rhode Island Spotlight on Leadership Award 2005 WAVES National Annual Award of Appreciation 2005 Newport Artillery Company Molly Pitcher Award 2005 Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Elderly (RIPAE) Senior Agenda Consortium's Support Award 2005 The Portuguese American Citizens Committee of Rhode Island Person of the Year 2005 Club Juventude Lusitana Woman of the Year 2005 Community Provider Network of Rhode Island Spotlight on Leadership Award 2004 AARP Visionary Award 2004 American Heart Association Rhode Island Heart on the Hill 2004 Rhode Island Covering Kids & Families Annual Award of Recognition 2000 Newport County NAACP President's Award 1999 Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy Community Leadership Award 1999 Newport and Jamestown Business and Professional Women's Club Woman of the Year 1998 The Governor's Commission on Disabilities John E. Fogarty Award 1998 Portuguese American Women's Association Woman of the Year 1997 National Association of Social Workers, Rhode Island Chapter Legislator of the Year 1996 United Way Recognition for work on the Family Independence Act 1996 Rhode Island Association, Ambassador of Hospitality and Tourism Recognition for work on tip credit and minimum wage increase 1995 Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Centers Legislator of the Year 1994 United Way Legislator of the Year
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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & APPOINTMENTS |
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2008 Delegate, Democratic National Convention 2000-2001 Senate Select Commission on Quasi-Public Agendas 1996-2000 Rhode Island Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline 1994-1996 Rhode Island Trust and Investment Commission
Member, Save the Bay Advisory Board Member , Fort Adams Trust Honorary Chairperson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Charitable Scholarship Fund Honorary Member, Rhode Island Women in Higher Education (State chapter of the ACE Network) Former Chairperson, Newport County Convention and Visitors' Bureau Past Board Member, Newport 's Edward King House Senior Center Past Member, Senate Committee on Judicial Selection Past Member, Senate Oil Spill Commission Past Member, Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Task Force (Providence/Warwick Convention Bureau) Past Member, Supreme Court Task Force
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