Thomas C. Slater
| Thomas C. Slater | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 17th (pre-2003), 10th (after 2003) district |
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In office 3 January 1995 – 10 August 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Mary C. Ross (R-17) |
| Succeeded by | Scott A. Slater (D-10) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 21, 1945 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | August 10, 2009 (aged 64) Providence, Rhode Island |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jody D. McKiernan Slater |
| Children | Gary M. Slater; Scott A. Slater; Ellen J. Slater Gopalakrishnan |
| Residence | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Alma mater | Johnson and Wales University |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Thomas C. Slater (1945–2009) was an American U.S. Marine and Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for 30 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. Slater ran for office in 1994 and defeated incumbent Republican Representative Mary C. Ross for Providence Representative in the state house, serving until his death in 2009. While a Providence representative, he was a member of the House Finance Committee. Among other issues, on the floor he spoke against cuts to welfare benefits and children's health care, opposed an executive order cracking down on illegal immigrants living in the state, and supported new fire codes.Medical marijuana access was a large focus for Slater, and one of the final pieces of legislation he sponsored involved the 2009 legalization of medicinal marijuana dispensaries in Rhode Island.
Thomas C. Slater was born in Providence, Rhode Island 21 May 1945 to Thomas J. and Edith M. (Simpson) Slater. He had six siblings, among them three sisters: Patricia, Frances, and Deborah, and a brother Stephen. He grew up in Providence, attended La Salle Academy, was a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and he served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, retiring after 30 years with the rank of Sergeant Major.
Slater ran for office on November 8, 1994, defeating incumbent Republican Representative Mary C. Ross by a margin of 55%-45% of the votes cast. Slater served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from January 3, 1995 until his death in 2009. While a Providence representative, he was a member of the House Finance Committee. Among other issues, he spoke against budget cuts that would have limited welfare benefits to the poor of Rhode Island, and which would have also reduced health care for children. He also opposed an executive order signed by Governor Don Carcieri, which cracked down on illegal immigrants living in Rhode Island. He advocated for the State of Rhode Island Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for Existing Buildings and Structures in January 2002, which was adopted in May 2002 and provided a uniform fire code and building code. In 2003 he supported a bill for a hike in the state minimum wage, to increase the rate from $6.15 to a mandatory $6.57 an hour.
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