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Donald L. (Don) CarcieriCurrent Governor of the US state of Rhode Island
Date of Birth: 16.12.1942
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Donald L. (Don) Carcieri
- Professional Career
- Political Career
- Controversies and Stances
- Later Years
Biography of Donald L. (Don) Carcieri
Early Life and EducationDonald L. (Don) Carcieri, the current Governor of the state of Rhode Island, was born and raised in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was born into a family of a high school football and basketball coach, Nicola J. Carcieri, and Marguerite E. (née Anderson). His father had Italian roots while his mother had Swedish roots. Carcieri excelled in sports during his school years, participating in baseball, basketball, and football. He earned a scholarship to attend Brown University, where he majored in International Relations.
Professional Career
After graduating from Brown University, Carcieri started his career as a high school math teacher in Newport, Rhode Island, and Concord, Massachusetts. He later worked in the banking industry and eventually became the Executive Vice President of Old Stone Bank. In 1981, Carcieri and his family moved to Kingston, Jamaica, where he worked for the Catholic Relief Services. He returned to Rhode Island two years later and became the Executive Director of Cookson Group. He later held dual positions as CEO of Cookson and General Manager of Cookson America.
Political Career
In 2002, Carcieri ran for Governor of Rhode Island and won the general election against Myrth York, a Democrat, receiving 55% of the vote. During his tenure, Carcieri had differing opinions with the Democratic-controlled General Assembly on various issues, ranging from the distribution of power and working conditions for state employees to the children's medical program for undocumented immigrants. He was reelected in 2006, defeating his own Lieutenant Governor, Democrat Charles J. Fogarty.
Controversies and Stances
One of the most controversial events during Carcieri's governorship occurred in December 2007 when Rhode Island experienced a snowstorm with significant accumulation. Carcieri was traveling in the Middle East at the time and was unable to be reached until the storm subsided. As a result of this incident, a judge ordered him to develop documented procedures outlining the action plan for such situations. Carcieri has been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and civil unions, being the last New England governor to firmly oppose them. He is a member of the National Organization for Marriage, which protests against same-sex partnerships.
Later Years
In October 2009, Carcieri was the keynote speaker at the annual banquet of the Massachusetts Family Institute, an organization that opposes same-sex marriage, civil unions, and partner relationships. Carcieri vetoed a bill in November 2009 that would have allowed same-sex partners to organize funerals. However, the legislative body voted against his veto in January 2010. Carcieri served as the Governor of Rhode Island until the end of his second term in January 2011. He has four children and 14 grandchildren.
