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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 132
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROSSETT
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
WHEREAS, United Way of Southeast Louisiana programs in 2010 addressed22
priorities such as housing, medical and mental health care, child and adult care, and23
academic supports and served over four hundred eighty thousand unduplicated clients; since24
Hurricane Katrina the United Way of Southeast Louisiana has made grants of over sixty-six25 ENROLLEDHR NO. 132
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million dollars to area health and human service agencies, and the United Way of Southeast1
Louisiana invests around eighteen million dollars per year in the region; and2
WHEREAS, after Hurricane Katrina, the Select Committee on Hurricane Recovery3
of the Louisiana Legislature observed firsthand the effective work of the United Way of4
Southeast Louisiana to return citizens of Southeast Louisiana home to safe and affordable5
housing and to build a stronger safety net of health and human services programs for citizens6
struggling from the effects of the hurricane, as well as the productive recovery and7
rebuilding efforts of the organization after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Hurricane8
Isaac; and9
WHEREAS, Mr. Gary Ostroske, who is retiring as chief executive officer of the10
United Way of Southeast Louisiana after twenty-five years in the position, has been the11
extraordinary leader who has directed and guided these remarkable and life-saving activities,12
and the legislature wishes to recognize and record his accomplishments and contributions13
to Southeast Louisiana and the entire state.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the15
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the United Way of Southeast Louisiana for16
outstanding community service which has improved the quality of life of thousands of17
citizens and does especially recognize its highly effective recovery and rebuilding activities18
in Southeast Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon19
oil spill, and Hurricane Isaac.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature21
of Louisiana does also recognize and commend Mr. Gary Ostroske, retiring chief executive22
officer of United Way of Southeast Louisiana, for his extraordinary leadership of the23
organization and his productive service to the seven parish area and the state.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted25
to Mr. Gary Ostroske.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES