| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3097 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 313 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Esteves of the 35th, Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, McLaurin of the |
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| 4 | 4 | | 14th, Kemp of the 38th and others |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Recognizing and commending Lawrence J. "Doc" Cohen; and for other purposes. |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Lawrence J. "Doc" Cohen is a pioneering entrepreneur and franchise leader who2 |
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| 9 | 9 | | founded Deblan Corporation and Cookie Associates, developing 35 Great American Cookie3 |
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| 10 | 10 | | Company (GACC) units across seven states and operating eight of the top ten4 |
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| 11 | 11 | | highest-volume stores in the chain; and5 |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, he played a key role in the growth and success of the Great American Cookie6 |
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| 13 | 13 | | Company franchise system, serving as the founding president of its Franchise Advisory7 |
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| 14 | 14 | | Council and co-founding the Independent Association of Great American Cookie8 |
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| 15 | 15 | | Franchisees, where he serves as a permanent member of the Executive Committee; and9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the International Franchise10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | Association (IFA), serving as its treasurer for five years and earning distinction as the second11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | franchisee in history to serve as chairman of its Board of Directors; and12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, he was the first franchisee in the world to earn the designation of Certified13 |
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| 20 | 20 | | Franchise Executive from the IFA Educational Foundation and has served as a trustee, chair14 |
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| 21 | 21 | | S. R. 313 |
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| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3097 |
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| 23 | 23 | | of the Board of Trustees, and recipient of the foundation's highest honor, the William |
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| 24 | 24 | | 15 |
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| 25 | 25 | | Rosenberg Leadership Award; and16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, he has further worked to advocate for the needs of small businesses and17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | franchising, serving as a delegate representing the State of Texas at the Third White House18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Conference on Small Business, testifying before committees of the United States Senate and19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | House of Representatives, and actively participating in IFA's legislative and advocacy20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | efforts; and21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, he has contributed significantly to philanthropic and community initiatives,22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | serving on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, supporting23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | educational initiatives such as the Hakeem Olajuwon BEST Campaign, and serving on24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | numerous advisory and nonprofit boards; and25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, his leadership, innovation, and dedication to the franchise industry have left a26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | lasting impact, making it abundantly fitting and proper that he be appropriately honored.27 |
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| 37 | 37 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body28 |
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| 38 | 38 | | recognize and commend Lawrence J. "Doc" Cohen for his many outstanding career29 |
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| 39 | 39 | | contributions to the franchise industry as well as extend best wishes for future health and30 |
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| 40 | 40 | | happiness.31 |
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| 41 | 41 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 |
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| 42 | 42 | | to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Lawrence J. "Doc"33 |
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| 43 | 43 | | Cohen.34 |
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| 44 | 44 | | S. R. 313 |
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| 45 | 45 | | - 2 - |
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