I am very honored to have the chance to join my distinguished senior Senator Jack Reed on the floor of the Senate today to pay our respects to a friend of both of ours who has departed us. I will say a few words about our friend George Panichas myself and then my senior Senator will say a few words in conclusion. It is a great honor for me to be here with Senator Reed. One of the bonds we have is our friendship with the Honorable George Panichas. On March 2, in our Ocean State, the day of George Panichas's funeral, the flags across the State were at half mast in his honor. While George's family and friends are still in mourning, we wish to take this opportunity to share some of our memories in celebration of the life of a man who was one of Rhode Island's legends. Representative George Panichas was many things: a husband, a father, a grandfather, a veteran, a public servant, an advocate, a loyal and active member of Rhode Island's Greek community, a successful businessman and, to so many of us, a trusted friend. Although George was small in physical stature, he will always be remembered as big, big, big in personality, heart, influence, and accomplishments.
Editor's note · Context
The speaker honors the memory of George Panichas, a respected figure in Rhode Island.
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