Members of the Station Fire Memorial Foundation were elated to receive $50,000 legislative grants from the Senate and the House as well as $50,000 from the governor that will be used to pay off loans needed to complete the memorial remembering the 100 who lost their lives in the Feb. 20, 2003 Station Nightclub fire.

The funds will also go toward an endowment for the upkeep of the memorial park in West Warwick. Former Governor Donald Carcieri, co-chair of the fund drive, joined co-chair Gina Russo and member Jody King, who lost his brother Tracy in the fire, and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello for the presentation last week.

During the State House visit, Carcieri stopped in to see House Minority Leader Rep. Patricia Morgan. He didn’t find her but discovered his portrait. Mattiello commended Carcieri for “exemplary leadership during dark times” in presenting the legislative grant. The fire occurred within weeks of Carcieri assuming office.