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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 269
BY REPRESENTATIVES MORENO AND RICHMOND
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Judith Watts of New Orleans upon her retirement from
Agenda for Children
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend Judith Watts of New Orleans upon her retirement from Agenda for Children.2
WHEREAS, Judith Watts is retiring after more than twenty-six years of dedicated3
service to Agenda for Children, Louisiana's longest standing child advocacy organization;4
and5
WHEREAS, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, Ms. Watts has called Louisiana home6
since 1962, when she relocated here with her family; she began her college education at7
Wellesley College and graduated from Newcomb College of Tulane University with a8
bachelor of arts degree in 1963; and 9
WHEREAS, Ms. Watts began her long and illustrious career of dedication to children10
in 1972, when she was hired by the Innovative Education Coalition to create and operate the11
Teacher Resource Service; she continued her commitment to children as the director of the12
Sarah Allen Child Care Center from 1976 until 1978; she brought her vision of improving13
the quality of child care to the St. Mark's Community Center, where she started the day care14
training program and oversaw child care centers operated by the agency from 1978 until15
1987; during her time at St. Mark's, she created the Child Care Resource Service and was16
named assistant executive director; and17
WHEREAS, along with several other child advocates, Ms. Watts formed Louisiana's18
first statewide child advocacy organization, Agenda for Children, in 1984, and through her19 HLS 10RS-5914 ORIGINAL
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distinguished service as president and chief executive officer, she has brought about many1
important victories for Louisiana's children and families; and2
WHEREAS one of Ms. Watts' and Agenda for Children's earliest victories for3
children was leading the fight to require licensing of child care centers, and she has4
implemented many programs at Agenda for Children to improve the quality of early5
education, starting the first child care resource and referral program in New Orleans,6
developing the positive steps child care provider training program and the child care7
technical assistance program, leading the successful effort to require training for family child8
care home providers, and advocating for the attainment of millions of additional dollars for9
child care for Louisiana's youngest children; and10
WHEREAS, Ms. Watts was a critical early supporter of many community11
organizations in New Orleans' Central City neighborhood, including the Central City12
Renaissance Collaborative, the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and the Making Connections13
Initiative, and she brought together advocates and service providers to form the Children's14
Services Collaborative to address the array of unmet needs and challenges faced by children15
in New Orleans; and16
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Ms. Watts and Agenda for17
Children convened the Greater New Orleans Child Care Rebuild Collaborative to assist in18
the rebuilding of child care centers, raising several million dollars and assisting in the19
building of ten child care centers; and20
WHEREAS, under Ms. Watts' leadership, Agenda for Children produces annually21
the Louisiana Kids Count Data Book, which provides important parish-level data on the22
well-being of children and families across the state; and23
WHEREAS, Ms. Watts' vast accomplishments also include important victories in the24
area of juvenile justice reform, as she helped lead the fight to close some of Louisiana's most25
notorious juvenile prisons and implement significant reforms to the juvenile justice system;26
she has continuously raised her voice against racism and oppression by proudly serving on27
the board of the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond and has instituted anti-racism28
priorities into the mission statement and organizational culture of Agenda for Children; she29 HLS 10RS-5914 ORIGINAL
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has fought for policies and programs that help lift families up from poverty; and she has been1
very instrumental in reducing the rate of uninsured children in the state of Louisiana; and2
WHEREAS, Ms. Watts has served on numerous boards as a true leader and visionary3
on behalf of the needs of the state's children; and4
WHEREAS, for her many contributions, Ms. Watts was honored with the Florette5
Angel Award from Voices for America's Children, and in addition to her many professional6
accomplishments, she is the loving and proud mother and grandmother of three children and7
six grandchildren and has served as the organist at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in8
New Orleans for more than two decades; and9
WHEREAS, Judith Watts merits a special measure of commendation for the10
tremendous pride and honor she brings to the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.11
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby12
commend Judith Watts of New Orleans for her outstanding accomplishments, does hereby13
congratulate her upon her retirement from Agenda for Children, does hereby recognize and14
record for posterity her singular contributions to the children and families of Louisiana, and15
does hereby extend best wishes for continued success and happiness in all of her future16
endeavors.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted18
to Judith Watts.19
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Moreno HCR No. 269
Commends Judith Watts of New Orleans upon her retirement from Agenda for Children.