HLS 13RS-3572 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 3 Regular Session, 2013 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 132 BY REPRESENTATIVE BROSSETT COMMENDATIONS: Commends the United Way of Southeast Louisiana for its service and effective recovery work in the Southeast Louisiana region A RESOLUTION1 To commend the United Way of Southeast Louisiana for outstanding community service,2 especially for its highly effective recovery and rebuilding activities in Southeast3 Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon oil4 spill, and Hurricane Isaac, and to recognize its retiring chief executive officer,5 Mr. Gary Ostroske, for his leadership and service.6 WHEREAS, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana serves the southeastern region7 of the state comprised of the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard,8 St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington, and the mission of the United Way of Southeast9 Louisiana is to increase the organized capacity of the people to be independent and self-10 sufficient; and11 WHEREAS, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana funds programs, supports12 collaborations, convenes experts, and fosters new and needed community services based13 upon best practices, and works to ensure quality health and human services for the citizens14 of the seven parish area and assesses the success of programs based upon the achievement15 of predefined outcomes; and these efforts have proven to be very successful in carrying out16 its mission; and17 WHEREAS, services provided include educational programs serving thousands of18 youth, a comprehensive array of substance abuse and prevention services serving adults and19 youth, emergency and ongoing assistance with food needs for over a half million individuals20 and families, and programs designed to build stronger neighborhoods and communities; and21 HLS 13RS-3572 ORIGINAL HR NO. 132 Page 2 of 3 WHEREAS, United Way of Southeast Louisiana programs in 2010 addressed1 priorities such as housing, medical and mental health care, child and adult care, and2 academic supports and served over four hundred eighty thousand unduplicated clients; since3 Hurricane Katrina the United Way of Southeast Louisiana has made grants of over sixty-six4 million dollars to area health and human service agencies, and the United Way of Southeast5 Louisiana invests around eighteen million dollars per year in the region; and6 WHEREAS, after Hurricane Katrina, the Select Committee on Hurricane Recovery7 of the Louisiana Legislature observed firsthand the effective work of the United Way of8 Southeast Louisiana to return citizens of Southeast Louisiana home to safe and affordable9 housing and to build a stronger safety net of health and human services programs for citizens10 struggling from the effects of the hurricane, as well as the productive recovery and11 rebuilding efforts of the organization after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Hurricane12 Isaac; and13 WHEREAS, Mr. Gary Ostroske, who is retiring as chief executive officer of the14 United Way of Southeast Louisiana after twenty-five years in the position, has been the15 extraordinary leader who has directed and guided these remarkable and life-saving activities,16 and the legislature wishes to recognize and record his accomplishments and contributions17 to Southeast Louisiana and the entire state.18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the19 Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the United Way of Southeast Louisiana for20 outstanding community service which has improved the quality of life of thousands of21 citizens and does especially recognize its highly effective recovery and rebuilding activities22 in Southeast Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon23 oil spill, and Hurricane Isaac.24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature25 of Louisiana does also recognize and commend Mr. Gary Ostroske, retiring chief executive26 officer of United Way of Southeast Louisiana, for his extraordinary leadership of the27 organization and his productive service to the seven parish area and the state.28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted29 to Mr. Gary Ostroske.30 HLS 13RS-3572 ORIGINAL HR NO. 132 Page 3 of 3 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)] Brossett HR No. 132 Commends the United Way of Southeast La. for outstanding community service and especially recognizes its highly effective recovery and rebuilding activities in Southeast La. during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and Hurricane Isaac. Also commends Mr. Gary Ostroske, retiring chief executive officer of the United Way of Southeast La. for his leadership and service.