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Mr Lemire is a thoughtful and articulate pioneer for the rights of all people affected by divorce: mothers, fathers, and children. Starting in 1994, Massachusetts requires divorcing parents to obtain mandatory parent education to help parents understand and handle the challenges of the disruption of the family unit with the breakup of marriage. Further the classes assist them in addressing and minimizing the stresses children may experience. Most significantly, these classes emphasize to parents that no matter what the reason for divorce, no matter what hard feelings, money disputes, broken hearts, and anger persist, divorce is the time to get over it - for the sake of the children. Except in cases of significant danger from domestic violence where communication is best kept limited, divorced parents need to learn to put aside ego, get along, speack tactfully, and act generously. After all, who wants to fail at being a parent - when all that is needed is sacrificial love.

The Masachusetts program is not the perfect fix for every broken family, but it does educate adults about how to be better parents under changing circumstances. Rhode Island will benefit from Mr Lemire's leadership on this important human issue.

Respectfully submitted,

MLCAMD