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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 75
BY SENATOR BROOME
A RESOLUTION
To commend Willie C. Johnson upon the memorable and historic occasion of "The Ultimate
Graduation", hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton Rouge Alumni.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Willie C. Johnson for her outstanding
accomplishments and singular contributions to her community and state as her excellence
as the director of Baton Rouge Area Leadership is celebrated and commended; and
WHEREAS, on April 25, 2012, an event hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton
Rouge Alumni, "The Ultimate Graduation", is acknowledging the extraordinary
achievements of Willie Johnson; and
WHEREAS, for many years, Ms. Johnson has served with great dedication and
effectiveness as director of the Baton Rouge Area Leadership Program, which was founded
as a program of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber to prepare a diverse group of professionals
for leadership positions in the community and which has graduated hundreds of members
who have gone on to tremendous success in the arenas of business, government, and
community service; and
WHEREAS, through her leadership of this program, Ms. Johnson has touched the
lives of countless individuals who have carried her lessons and the skills learned from
SIMSOC with them as they have proceeded to make remarkable contributions to society as
influential leaders on various boards and commissions and holders of public office; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, after serving for fourteen highly productive years as the Baton
Rouge Area Chamber's senior vice president for Community Development, Ms. Johnson
officially retired from the chamber; in this vital position, she was responsible for the
coordination of all of the chamber's education, law enforcement, and judicial initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has a master of education degree and a bachelor of arts
degree in psychology, is a trained facilitator through the Kettering Foundation and
completed a two-year training institute on community politics with this foundation, is a
graduate of the Lafayette Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute, and has been
a Teacher Corps intern; and SR NO. 75 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, a former teacher and high school administrator, Ms. Johnson has made
significant contributions as a very active member of her community, including serving as
a past president of the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Arts Council of
Greater Baton Rouge, the Capital Area Human Services District, and the Greater Baton
Rouge Federation of Churches and Synagogues; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Leadership Greater Baton Rouge and Leadership
Louisiana, Ms. Johnson is also an honorary member of the Louisiana State University
Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, was elected to the Baton Rouge Community College
Foundation Board, and has served her community in various other important leadership
roles; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has been the deserving recipient of numerous honors and
awards, including the National Conference for Community and Justice
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award, the Powell-Reznikoff Humanitarian Award, the Public
Relations Association of Louisiana Communicator of the Year Award, the Forum 35 Baton
Rouge Original Award, and the Louisiana Heroine Award from the Louisiana Association
of Nonprofit Organizations, among others; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure upon people like Willie
Johnson, an exceptional woman and an inspiration to all; and
WHEREAS, Willie C. Johnson merits a sincere measure of commendation for her
many years of outstanding service to the people of the city of Baton Rouge and the state of
Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Willie C. Johnson upon the memorable and historic occasion of "The
Ultimate Graduation", hosted by the Leadership Greater Baton Rouge Alumni, does hereby
recognize and record for posterity her notable accomplishments and manifold contributions
to her fellow citizens, and does hereby extend sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the
enduring pride and honor that she brings to her community and state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Willie C. Johnson. SR NO. 75 ENROLLED
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PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE