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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 5
BY SENATOR KOSTELKA AND REPRESENTATI VE SHADOIN
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Irene Riley Anderson upon the celebration of her one
hundredth birthday.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend and congratulate Irene Riley Anderson on the celebration of her one hundredth2
birthday and to honor her lifetime of outstanding accomplishments.3
WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting and proper to honor Irene Riley Anderson on this4
very special celebration of her one hundredth birthday; and5
WHEREAS, Irene Riley was born on March 18, 1912, in Morton County, Kansas,6
in the southwestern corner of the state to parents, George Parker and Ethel Agnes Riley; and7
WHEREAS, the Rileys were real pioneers, who along with other family members8
staked out parcels of rolling grassland to homestead, to farm, and to rear a family; and9
WHEREAS, born on the day after St. Patrick's Day in a sod hut, Irene Riley10
Anderson is descended from hardy Irish stock, whose land was located on the Santa Fe Trail11
near the Cimarron River; she recalls playing in wagon ruts left five decades before by12
adventurers migrating farther west; and13
WHEREAS, Irene married Allen Anderson during the Great Depression of the 1930s14
just as the "Dust Bowl" drought began to overtake the Kansas prairies; in the "Dirty Thirties"15
times were difficult and opportunities to make a living faded; and16
WHEREAS, Irene and her family then moved to Ruston, Louisiana, and opened the17
first of their business ventures, the City Bakery on Vienna Street, next to the Dixie Theater,18 SCR NO. 5
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and the second business was the College Café located near the campus of Louisiana Tech;1
and2
WHEREAS, Irene Riley Anderson put down new roots and prospered with a growing3
family of four children; Shirley, Dolores, Eugene, and the late Kenneth Anderson, and her4
family is still growing with seven grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren; and5
WHEREAS, having worked all of her life, Irene Riley Anderson is a self-made6
woman, strong of spirit, hard working, and self-reliant, she learned the value of an education7
and instilled that appreciation in her children who all attended college; and8
WHEREAS, she was born before the advent of rural electrical utilities, radio,9
television, and space travel, and in her mature years has witnessed man's walk on the moon,10
digital technology, miracles of science and medicine, and many other marvels that were11
unheard of only a few short decades ago; and12
WHEREAS, with good health, a keen memory, and great attention to detail, Irene13
shares her one hundred years of life experiences with her family and friends, all who gaze14
in wonder at the events she has seen and participated in, firsthand; and15
WHEREAS, Irene Riley Anderson merits a special measure of commendation and16
recognition for the tremendous pride, kindness, and sense of purpose that she brings to her17
family, friends, community, and state.18
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby19
commend Irene Riley Anderson on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday, March 18,20
2012, and does hereby recognize the extraordinary life she has lived thus far, and for the21
contributions she has made to her family and community, and to wish for her a full measure22
of happiness in the years to come.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to24
Irene Riley Anderson.25
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan Montague.
DIGEST
Kostelka SCR No. 5
Commends Irene Riley Anderson on the celebration of her one hundredth birthday.