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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 131
BY SENATOR BROOME AND REPRESENTATI VE HODGES
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend Louisiana Teen Challenge for its service to the people of Louisiana through
its mission to offer a comprehensive, Bible based program of recovery and hope to
those Louisiana citizens who suffer from life-controlling drug and alcohol
addictions.
WHEREAS, Louisiana Teen Challenge provides youth, adults and families with an
effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and
alcohol problems in order that participants may become productive members of society; and
WHEREAS, by applying biblical principles, Louisiana Teen Challenge endeavors
to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically
well, and spiritually alive; and
WHEREAS, through committed staff and effective programs, Louisiana Teen
Challenge seeks to produce graduates who function responsibly and productively in society,
and who have healthy relationships in the workplace, family, church and community; and
WHEREAS, Teen Challenge has been in Louisiana since 1987, beginning with the
Greater New Orleans Teen Challenge; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana Teen Challenge has been able to expand in many additional
locations in the state, including Arnaudville, Dodson, Minden, Ruston, Shreveport, and
another in Winnfield; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Teen Challenge offers an eighteen month residential
program for men, women, boys, or girls designed to help them learn to live drug-free lives;
and
WHEREAS, these programs are discipline-oriented and offer a balance of Bible
classes, work assignments, and recreation; and SCR NO. 131 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Louisiana Teen Challenge is part of Teen Challenge International which
was started in Brooklyn, New York, in 1958 by Rev. David Wilkerson, in response to an
article in LIFE magazine about seven teenagers who were on trial for murder related to a
gang fight where the teens had beaten a young man to death; and
WHEREAS, out of that tragedy of the death of this young man and through the grace
of God, Wilkerson began to work full-time with teenage gang members; and
WHEREAS, there are over 260 Teen Challenge programs in the United States and
another 1200 in other countries around the world. A study completed by the research group,
the National Institute of Drug Abuse, in 1974 evidenced that Teen Challenge has an 86%
success rate seven years after graduation from the program and other studies have been
completed since that time that confirmed those findings.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Louisiana Teen Challenge for its service to the people of Louisiana through its
mission to offer a comprehensive, Bible based program of recovery and hope to those
Louisiana citizens who suffer from life-controlling drug and alcohol addictions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Louisiana Teen Challenge.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES