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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6
BY REPRESENTATIVE TALBOT
A RESOLUTION
To commend Meredith Graf for her outstanding achievements as a young Louisiana artist.
WHEREAS, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Graf, Meredith Graf is a ninth
grade student at Louise S. McGehee School in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Meredith is a gifted artist who has won numerous awards and honors,
including first place in the fourth through sixth grade division of the Louisiana Junior Duck
Stamp competition in 2004; second place in the Ronald McDonald House Charities
Louisiana State Art Contest in 2005; and honorable mention in the Federal Refugees State
Arts Contest in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Meredith was named a Gambit magazine's "Forty Under 40" award
winner in 2006; received a proclamation from the lieutenant governor's office for artistic
achievement in 2007; and appeared on the television show Next Generation hosted by Jill
Hezou in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Meredith completed an oil painting on canvas that depicted the
Louisiana state flag with then United States Congressman Bobby Jindal's name and parishes
on it, and the painting was hung in his Metairie congressional office; and
WHEREAS, Meredith has been honored by former President George W. Bush and
was invited to the White House after she drew a portrait of his hands from a photograph that
was taken on one of his visits to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, while her family was evacuated after Hurricane Katrina, Meredith met
artist Jim McQueen, who saw her budding talent and worked with her as her art teacher; and
WHEREAS, WWL-TV news anchor Mike Hoss interviewed Meredith and her family
along with Jim McQueen in November of 2006, showing some of Meredith's artwork,
including a portrait of basketball legend Bill Russell; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 6
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WHEREAS, Meredith was recently honored by the New Orleans City Council and
the Jefferson Parish Council, the latter of which honored her with a proclamation declaring
March 3, 2010, as Meredith Graf Day in Jefferson Parish; and
WHEREAS, currently, Meredith has been selected to create an eagle sculpture with
donated crystal, marble, granite, and redwood, which is being used as the first place award
at the annual Endangered Species Day Art Contest sponsored by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,
the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and the University of New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Meredith's work can be viewed at numerous venues, ranging from her
own school to the office of New Orleans mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu, the offices of New
York Life on Madison Avenue, and the office of Steve Sabol, president and founder of NFL
Films; and
WHEREAS, Meredith's award-winning artwork was previously exhibited in the Old
United States Mint in New Orleans and the executive office of the New Orleans Arena and
was also featured on the official website of the NBA Champion Boston Celtics; and
WHEREAS, Meredith Graf merits a special measure of commendation for the
tremendous pride and honor that she brings to her family, friends, school, and community,
Jefferson Parish, the city of New Orleans, and the state of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Meredith Graf for her outstanding
accomplishments as a young Louisiana artist, does hereby recognize and record for posterity
her singular contributions to the celebration of art in Louisiana, and does hereby extend best
wishes for continued happiness and success in all of her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Meredith Graf.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES