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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 183
BY REPRESENTATIVES ST. GERMAIN, BARROW, CHAMPAGNE, HILL, HODGES,
KATRINA JACKSON, NANCY LANDRY, MORENO, NORTON, SMI TH,
STOKES, THIERRY, WHITNEY, AND WOODRUFF AND SENATORS
BROOME, BUFFINGTON, DORSEY-COLOMB, AND PETERSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Evelyn Elain Ellerbe of Jackson, Louisiana, upon her
receipt of a 2014 Women of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative
Women's Caucus Foundation
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend Evelyn Elain Ellerbe of Jackson, Louisiana, upon her receipt of a 20142
Women of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus3
Foundation for her achievements in the field of Louisiana Hero of Excellence.4
WHEREAS, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe has over thirty years of business administration5
experience with an emphasis for the past twenty-five years in the field of human social6
services for incarcerated populations and under-resourced families impacted by the criminal7
justice system; and8
WHEREAS, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe is chief executive officer of Refined by Fire9
Ministries (RBF), Inc., a nonprofit organization that she and her family founded in 1995; and10
11
WHEREAS, in 2009, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe received her National Consultant/Trainer12
designation from Dr. Stephen Bavolek, creator of the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting13
Program, and was also awarded the Innovator Instructor for Financial Management by VISA14
International; and15
WHEREAS, in 2010, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe was certified in the National Fatherhood16
Initiative's 24/7 Dad and Inside/Out Dad curriculum; and17 HLS 14RS-4875 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 183
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WHEREAS, additionally in 2010, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe received her lifetime1
certification as a trainer and facilitator of Bridges Out of Poverty and the unique Solutions2
to Poverty curriculum, Getting Ahead in A Just Getting By World; and3
WHEREAS, in 2012, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe led Refined By Fire Ministries through4
the process of being recognized as an Area Consultant agency for Bridges Out of Poverty,5
a designation that includes the nine-parish area surrounding Metro Baton Rouge; and6
WHEREAS, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe has also fostered several cutting edge programs7
including: a Fatherhood Initiative in correctional facilities across Louisiana; an incarcerated8
parent video project, Read to Me Daddy/Mommy; and a seven-ye ar partnership with the9
national retailer, Men's Wearhouse, for a statewide suit donation program for offenders10
returning home; and11
WHEREAS, in 2013, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe suffered the death of her husband,12
Michael, who was director of Reentry at Dixon Correctional Institute, following his13
courageous battle with cancer, and to whom she was married for over thirty-five years; and14
WHEREAS, in July of 2013, both Michael and Elain were inducted into the15
Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Recognition for their16
outstanding work in the field of reentry in this state; and 17
WHEREAS, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe remains committed to continuing the work with18
incarcerated and under-resourced populations that she and Michael were called to do so19
many years ago; and20
WHEREAS, just recently, in March of 2014, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe was selected by21
the Louisiana State University Women's Center as one of its 2014 Esprit de Femme22
recipients which honors outstanding women leaders across our state; and 23
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation created the24
Women of Excellence Awards to recognize and honor extraordinary women of excellence25
across the state for their outstanding achievements and contributions; and26
WHEREAS, recipients of the Women of Excellence Awards exhibit characteristics27
of integrity and professionalism, personify excellence in their area of specialty, and are28
committed to community service to better society as a whole; and29 HLS 14RS-4875 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, for 2014, there are six fields or categories for the Women of Excellence1
Awards: Business, College Woman of Excellence, Education and Research, High School2
Woman of Excellence, Louisiana Hero of Excellence, and Military; and3
WHEREAS, the recipients of the 2014 Women of Excellence Awards are being4
recognized at the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation's Women of5
Excellence Awards and Scholarships Ceremony and Reception on Tuesday, May 27, 2014,6
at the historic Hilton Capitol House Hotel in Baton Rouge; and7
WHEREAS, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe of Jackson, Louisiana, has been named a recipient8
of a 2014 Women of Excellence Award in the field of Louisiana Hero of Excellence, a field9
which recognizes an ordinary everyday person who is making extraordinarily positive10
differences in changing the lives of people in Louisiana and beyond; and11
WHEREAS, Evelyn Elain Ellerbe merits a sincere and heartfelt measure of12
commendation for her dedication to excellence and her outstanding accomplishments, and13
it is entirely appropriate for the Legislature of Louisiana to commend Evelyn Elain Ellerbe14
upon her receipt of a 2014 Women of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative15
Women's Caucus Foundation which recognizes her vital contributions to the citizens of16
Louisiana.17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby18
commend Evelyn Elain Ellerbe of Jackson, Louisiana, upon her receipt of a 2014 Women19
of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation for her20
achievements in the field of Louisiana Hero of Excellence; does hereby recognize and record21
for posterity her singular contributions to the citizens of Louisiana; and does hereby extend22
enduring appreciation for the tremendous honor and pride that she brings to the state of23
Louisiana.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted25
to Evelyn Elain Ellerbe. 26 HLS 14RS-4875 ORIGINAL
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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)]
St. Germain HCR No. 183
Commends Evelyn Elain Ellerbe of Jackson, Louisiana, upon her receipt of a 2014 Women
of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation for her
achievements in the field of Louisiana Hero of Excellence.