HLS 12RS-3114 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 60
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Willie C. Johnson for her accomplishments and
contributions upon "The Ultimate Graduation", hosted by the Leadership Greater
Baton Rouge Alumni
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Willie C. Johnson upon the memorable and historic occasion of "The Ultimate2
Graduation", hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton Rouge Alumni.3
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Willie C. Johnson for her outstanding4
accomplishments and singular contributions to her community and state as her excellence5
as the director of Baton Rouge Area Leadership is celebrated and commended; and6
WHEREAS, on April 25, 2012, an event hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton7
Rouge Alumni, "The Ultimate Graduation", is acknowledging the extraordinary8
achievements of Willie Johnson; and9
WHEREAS, for many years, Ms. Johnson has served with great dedication and10
effectiveness as director of the Baton Rouge Area Leadership Program, which was founded11
as a program of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to prepare a diverse group of professionals12
for leadership positions in the community and which has graduated hundreds of members13
who have gone on to tremendous success in the arenas of business, government, and14
community service; and15
WHEREAS, through her leadership of this program, Ms. Johnson has touched the16
lives of countless individuals who have carried her lessons and the skills learned from17
SIMSOC with them as they have proceeded to make remarkable contributions to society as18
influential leaders on various boards and commissions and holders of public office; and19 HLS 12RS-3114 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 60
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, in 2008, after serving for fourteen highly productive years as the Baton1
Rouge Area Chamber's senior vice president for Community Development, Ms. Johnson2
officially retired from the chamber; in this vital position, she was responsible for the3
coordination of all of the chamber's education, law enforcement, and judicial initiatives; and4
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has a master of education degree and a bachelor of arts5
degree in psychology, is a trained facilitator through the Kettering Foundation and6
completed a two-year training institute on community politics with this foundation, is a7
graduate of the Lafayette Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute, and has been8
a Teacher Corps intern; and9
WHEREAS, a former teacher and high school administrator, Ms. Johnson has made10
significant contributions as a very active member of her community, including serving as11
a past president of the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Arts Council of12
Greater Baton Rouge, the Capital Area Human Services District, and the Greater Baton13
Rouge Federation of Churches and Synagogues; and14
WHEREAS, a graduate of Leadership Greater Baton Rouge and Leadership15
Louisiana, Ms. Johnson is also an honorary member of the Louisiana State University16
Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, was elected to the Baton Rouge Community College17
Foundation Board, and has served her community in various other important leadership18
roles; and19
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has been the deserving recipient of numerous honors and20
awards, including the National Conference for Community and Justice21
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award, the Powell-Reznikoff Humanitarian Award, the Public22
Relations Association of Louisiana Communicator of the Year Award, the Forum 35 Baton23
Rouge Original Award, and the Louisiana Heroine Award from the Louisiana Association24
of Nonprofit Organizations, among others; and25
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,26
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure upon people like Willie27
Johnson, an exceptional woman and an inspiration to all; and28 HLS 12RS-3114 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 60
Page 3 of 3
WHEREAS, Willie C. Johnson merits a sincere measure of commendation for her1
many years of outstanding service to the people of the city of Baton Rouge and the state of2
Louisiana.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the4
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Willie C. Johnson upon the memorable and5
historic occasion of "The Ultimate Graduation", hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton6
Rouge Alumni, does hereby recognize and record for posterity her notable accomplishments7
and manifold contributions to her fellow citizens, and does hereby extend sincere and8
heartfelt appreciation for the enduring pride and honor that she brings to her community and9
state.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted11
to Willie C. Johnson.12
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)]
James HR No. 60
Commends Willie C. Johnson upon the occasion of "The Ultimate Graduation", hosted by
the Leadership Greater Baton Rouge Alumni.