SEPT. 11, 2020 – COVENTRY, RI – "Coventry State Senator Leonidas Raptakis is again calling for schools to have the option to have a moment of silence to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. On the 19th anniversary on Friday, Raptakis announced his plans to reintroduce the legislation in the upcoming legislation session. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the legislation, introduced last year, did not come to a vote during this session. The new legislative session is set to begin in January.

After the New York law was brought to my attention, I thought this policy would also be useful in Rhode Island’s classrooms," Raptakis explained. "September 11th was one of the most seminal events in our country’s history and as each anniversary of the event goes by, it’s important that we impress the significance of the attack on our students to not only memorialize all that were lost and sacrificed during the attacks, but also to help engage in conversations with students about the impact and history of that terrible day." Read more of Rachel Nunes' Patch story - click/tap here.

RI State Senator Lou Raptakis (District 33, Coventry, E Greenwich, & W Greenwich) joined ABC's "In the Arena" Paolino Properties - Joe Paolino in discussing legislative efforts to raise awareness about:

• Impacts to small businesses regarding the raise of the minimum wage
  
• Lou's efforts to increase penalties for driving under the influence, and
• The national politics climate

“Drunk drivers, especially repeat offenders and especially those whose irresponsible actions cause harm to others, should not be on the road, period,” said Senator Raptakis. “I don’t care how remorseful they seem when they appear before a judge. The punishment for this type of reckless disregard for the welfare of others needs to be much tougher. Until it is, drunks are going keep getting behind the wheel and the mayhem on our roads will continue.”

Senator Raptakis points to the recent local story of a man who was arrested twice for driving under the influence in an 18-hour span.  He has introduced these bills several times in the past and he believes that Rhode Island can no longer afford to wait to pass these important public safety bills.

The first bill (2020-S 2259) sponsored by Senator Raptakis would increase the penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence resulting in death and driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury.

The second piece of legislation (2020-S 2282) would increase from 5 years to 10 years the period in which prior DUI convictions qualify a person for increased penalties for subsequent convictions.

The National Herald, by TNH Staff: "COVENTRY, RI – Greek-American Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis is calling on Congressmen Jim Langevin and Davic Cicilline, as well as Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, to support sanctions against the Turkish government for their recent incursion into northern Syria.

Raptakis said the Turkish invasion threatens to turn into a genocide against the Kurdish people who had established a stable area where some two million Kurdish citizens were able to reside in relative peace compared to the rest of the troubled country." Read the full article at The National Herald.