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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 83
BY SENATORS PETERSON, BROOME, BUFFINGTON AND DORSEY-COLOMB
AND REPRESENTATIVES BARROW, CHAMPAGNE, HILL,
HODGES, KATRINA JACKSON, NANCY LANDRY, MORENO,
NORTON, SMITH, ST. GERMAIN, THIERRY AND WHITNEY
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Dr. Alma Thornton of Baton Rouge upon her receipt of
a 2012 Women of Excellence Award from the La. Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend Dr. Alma Thornton of Baton Rouge upon her receipt of a 2012 Women of2
Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation.3
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Dr. Thornton upon her receipt of a 20124
Women of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation5
and to recognize her vital contributions to the citizens of Louisiana as an active and6
dedicated community servant; and7
WHEREAS, Dr. Thornton is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for8
Social Research at Southern University and A & M College; and 9
WHEREAS, she graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1970 with10
a bachelor degree in Sociology, from Southern University in 1973 with master of Social11
Science, and from Louisiana State University in 1979 with a doctorate degree in Sociology,12
and since 1979, has been employed at Southern University; and13
WHEREAS, during a tenure of more than thirty years, Dr. Thornton's work and14
contributions have extended far beyond classroom instruction as she believes that investment15
in the education of children is the greatest contribution that can be made to secure their16
future; and17
WHEREAS, with United States Congressional funding, early in her career, Dr.18 SCR NO. 83
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Thornton conducted research on the social condition of youth in the Mississippi Delta,1
visiting communities in all states contiguous to the Mississippi River from Illinois to2
Louisiana; and3
WHEREAS, she testified at congressional hearings on the needs of youth in some4
of the most economically depressed regions of the country; has garnered federal and state5
funding to support work in developing and implementing education, community6
development and family stability programs; and understands the importance of youth7
mentoring and role modeling, developing life and social skills, and cultivating a strong8
academic foundation; and9
WHEREAS, with support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Thornton built10
a computer and research laboratory to improve the academic environment and education of11
students; and12
WHEREAS, as director of the Ronald McNair Scholars program, she works to bring13
resources to Southern University to increase the number of first generation college students14
earning post baccalaureate degrees; supervises doctoral dissertation and masters level thesis15
research; provides mentioned research experiences for numerous others; assists students in16
identifying and applying for graduate schools; accompanies students to many research and17
professional conferences to present research findings; and has conducted research on health18
and nutrition of residents in the lower Mississippi Delta and needs of limited resources19
children and families; and20
WHEREAS, as director of the Center for Social Research, Dr. Thornton works with21
local community agencies and non-profits in identifying and securing funds to help support22
their agency missions and assists the local communities with housing and workforce23
development; and24
WHEREAS, she has received several awards including, several Southern University25
Grantsmanship awards, HCFA Administrator's Achievement award and the Southern26
University Community Service award; and27
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation created the28
Women of Excellence Awards to recognize and honor extraordinary women of excellence29
across the state for their outstanding achievements and contributions; and30 SCR NO. 83
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WHEREAS, recipients of the Women of Excellence Awards exhibit characteristics1
of integrity and professionalism, personify excellence in their area of specialty, and are2
committed to community service to better society as a whole; and3
WHEREAS, this year, there were seven categories for the Women of Excellence4
Awards: Business, College Woman of Excellence, Education & Research, Government &5
Law, High School Woman of Excellence, Science, Technology, Engineering &6
Mathematics, and Volunteerism and Civic Involvement; and7
WHEREAS, the recipients of the 2012 Women of Excellence Awards are being8
recognized at the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation's Women of9
Excellence Awards Gala on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, in Baton Rouge; and10
WHEREAS, Dr. Thornton received a 2012 Women of Excellence Award in the11
category of Education and Research for her highly productive community activism and12
service; and13
WHEREAS, Dr. Thornton merits a sincere and heartfelt measure of commendation14
for her dedication to excellence and her outstanding accomplishments.15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby16
commend Dr. Alma Thornton of Baton Rouge upon her receipt of a 2012 Women of17
Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation, does hereby18
recognize and record for posterity her singular contributions to the citizens of Louisiana as19
an active and dedicated community servant, and does hereby extend enduring appreciation20
for the tremendous honor and pride that she brings to her family and friends, the city of21
Baton Rouge, and the state of Louisiana.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Dr.23
Thornton.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by James Benton.
DIGEST
Peterson SCR No.
Commends Dr. Alma Thornton of Baton Rouge upon her receipt of a 2012 Women of
Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation.