HLS 13RS-2279 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 2 Regular Session, 2013 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99 BY REPRESENTATIVE BARROW SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes April 21, 2013, as Rhonda McCullough Day in Louisiana A RESOLUTION1 To commend Rhonda McCullough for her hard work in raising awareness for sarcoidosis2 and to recognize April 21, 2013, as Rhonda McCullough Day in Louisiana.3 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of4 Rhonda McCullough, the wife of the late, famed comedian and actor Bernie Mac, whose5 death in 2008 was caused by complications from sarcoidosis; and6 WHEREAS, sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ7 in the body and causes heightened immunity, which means that a person's immune system,8 which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage9 to the body's own tissues; and10 WHEREAS, on April 21, 2013, Mrs. McCullough was the guest speaker at The11 Sarcoidosis Awareness Foundation of Louisiana's "Stepping Out Against Sarcoidosis"; and12 WHEREAS, Mrs. McCullough founded the Bernie Mac Foundation in 2007, one13 year before her husband died, and under her highly skilled leadership, the organization has14 actively worked to increase awareness regarding sarcoidosis; and15 WHEREAS, the Bernie Mac Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to16 raising funds for research and increasing awareness of sarcoidosis and serves patients as a17 community and meeting place to learn and discuss the effects of sarcoidosis; and18 HLS 13RS-2279 ORIGINAL HR NO. 99 Page 2 of 2 WHEREAS, on October 5, 2012, Bernie Mac's birthday, Mrs. McCullough's many1 years of hard work and persistence came to fruition with the opening of the Bernie Mac2 Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research Clinic at the University of Illinois Health and3 Science System; and4 WHEREAS, the dedicated and tireless Rhonda McCullough merits a special measure5 of recognition and commendation upon visiting Louisiana to raise awareness for sarcoidosis6 and for sharing her vision and mission with the Sarcoidosis Awareness Foundation of7 Louisiana on April 21, 2013.8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the9 Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize April 21, 2013, as Rhonda McCullough Day10 in Louisiana, does hereby commend Rhonda McCullough, wife of the late, famed comedian11 Bernie Mac, for her work in raising awareness for sarcoidosis, does hereby recognize and12 record for posterity her exceptional talents in philanthropy and vital contributions to13 sarcoidosis research, does hereby express enduring appreciation for the tremendous pride14 and honor she brings to her community, her family, and her country, and does hereby extend15 to her best wishes for continued success and happiness in all of her future endeavors.16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted17 to Rhonda McCullough, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bernie Mac18 Foundation.19 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)] Barrow HR No. 99 Recognizes April 21, 2013, as Rhonda McCullough Day in La., and commends Mrs. McCullough for her commitment to raising awareness regarding sarcoidosis throughout the United States.