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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 75
BY SENATOR BROOME
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 SR NO. 75
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influential leaders on various boards and commissions and holders of public office; and1
WHEREAS, in 2008, after serving for fourteen highly productive years as the Baton2
Rouge Area Chamber's senior vice president for Community Development, Ms. Johnson3
officially retired from the chamber; in this vital position, she was responsible for the4
coordination of all of the chamber's education, law enforcement, and judicial initiatives; and5
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has a master of education degree and a bachelor of arts6
degree in psychology, is a trained facilitator through the Kettering Foundation and7
completed a two-year training institute on community politics with this foundation, is a8
graduate of the Lafayette Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute, and has been9
a Teacher Corps intern; and10
WHEREAS, a former teacher and high school administrator, Ms. Johnson has made11
significant contributions as a very active member of her community, including serving as12
a past president of the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Arts Council of13
Greater Baton Rouge, the Capital Area Human Services District, and the Greater Baton14
Rouge Federation of Churches and Synagogues; and15
WHEREAS, a graduate of Leadership Greater Baton Rouge and Leadership16
Louisiana, Ms. Johnson is also an honorary member of the Louisiana State University17
Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, was elected to the Baton Rouge Community College18
Foundation Board, and has served her community in various other important leadership19
roles; and20
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has been the deserving recipient of numerous honors and21
awards, including the National Conference for Community and Justice22
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award, the Powell-Reznikoff Humanitarian Award, the Public23
Relations Association of Louisiana Communicator of the Year Award, the Forum 35 Baton24
Rouge Original Award, and the Louisiana Heroine Award from the Louisiana Association25
of Nonprofit Organizations, among others; and26
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,27
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure upon people like Willie28
Johnson, an exceptional woman and an inspiration to all; and29
WHEREAS, Willie C. Johnson merits a sincere measure of commendation for her30 SR NO. 75
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many years of outstanding service to the people of the city of Baton Rouge and the state of1
Louisiana.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana3
does hereby commend Willie C. Johnson upon the memorable and historic occasion of "The4
Ultimate Graduation", hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton Rouge Alumni, does hereby5
recognize and record for posterity her notable accomplishments and manifold contributions6
to her fellow citizens, and does hereby extend sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the7
enduring pride and honor that she brings to her community and state.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to9
Willie C. Johnson.10
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Broome SR No. 75
Commends Willie C. Johnson upon the occasion of "The Ultimate Graduation", hosted by
the Leadership Greater Baton Rouge Alumni.