State OKs Name Change for Newport County Mental Health Center

The Middletown-based Newport County Community Mental Health Center has been named in honor of its outgoing President and CEO, J. Clement "Bud" Cicilline, who is retiring in November.

Rhode Island Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed introduced the bill to dedicate the facility to Cicilline, a former five-term state senator, the Providence Journal reported.

Cicilline, who is an uncle of current U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, started with the agency in 1968 as a clinical psychologist, advancing to the post of administrator in 1970 and executive director in 1975, according to a biography posted on the mental health center's website.

A 12-year member of the Newport School Committee, Cicilline has served as President and CEO of the Middletown facility since 1986.