[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF AMEDEO ``ARMIE'' MEROLLA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2017

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory 
of General Amedeo ``Armie'' Merolla--a dedicated patriot, a passionate 
legal mind, a community leader in Rhode Island, and someone who I was 
proud to call a dear friend.
  Armie Merolla was a man of service in every aspect of his life. He 
spent much of his time giving back to his community, serving his state 
and his country with distinction.
  Armie's time in uniform began when he enlisted in the United States 
Marine Corps while still a student at Brown University. After 
graduating in 1951, he enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard 
(RIARNG) and received a direct commission as a First Lieutenant in the 
Judge Advocate General Corps. His long and distinguished military 
career included posts in the Military Police, JAG, Field Artillery, and 
Military Intelligence, during which he earned numerous decorations, 
such as the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the 
Rhode Island Cross for Valor. Among his commissions with RIARNG, he 
served as State Inspector General, State Staff Judge Advocate, 
Brigadier General, and Assistant Adjutant General and Deputy Commanding 
General--Army. In his retirement, he was appointed as Commander of the 
Rhode Island State Defense Force and attained the honorary rank of 
Major General in the Rhode Island Militia.
  As an attorney, Armie experienced great success and took on many 
roles after receiving his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1954. At the 
time of his passing, he was a senior managing partner at Merolla, 
Accetturo & Lough, where he practiced alongside two of his children, 
Katherine and Steven. He served as Judge Advocate General and Assistant 
Providence City Solicitor, and contributed his legal expertise to the 
Rhode Island Secretary of State, the Rhode Island Public Buildings 
Authority, and the Director of the Rhode Island Department of 
Administration. The Rhode Island Supreme Court appointed him to the 
Alternate Dispute Resolution Task Force, the Rules of Evidence 
Committee, the Committee for Admission to the Bar, and the Committee on 
Clerkships. Armie also held leadership positions in several legal 
associations, including the Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association.
  In his community, Armie demonstrated an even deeper commitment to 
others. He was a Chairman of the Warwick School Committee, Chairman of 
the Warwick Bicentennial Committee, President of the Boys and Girls 
Clubs of Warwick, trustee of his church, president of the alumni 
association of his class at Brown, Commodore and Perpetual Member of 
the East Greenwich Yacht Club, and Co-Founder of Warwick Figure 
Skaters. He also held leadership positions in local chapters of the 
United Way, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Charities Fund, and 
John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign.
  Armie devoted himself to a large and loving family, and is survived 
by his wife, Norma, his brother, John, his four children, Katherine, 
Julie, Sandra, and Steven, nine grandchildren, four nieces, one nephew, 
and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.
  It is an honor to remember Armie on the Floor today, just as it was 
to consider him a trusted friend and advisor. He made a difference, and 
he will truly be missed.

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