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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 120
BY REPRESENTATIVES HARRIS, DIXON, HAZEL, AND JOHNSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce upon its
100
th
Anniversary
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce on its 100th Anniversary.2
WHEREAS, the mission of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is to3
advocate pro-business policies and to deliver innovative programming and services that4
create an environment for economic growth; and5
WHEREAS, the vision of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is to be an6
influential, vital, dynamic force in the Central Louisiana region for creating the preferred7
community in which to live and conduct business; and8
WHEREAS, on March 30, 1914, two hundred fifty business and professional leaders9
from the Alexandria area met at the Hotel Bentley and decided to form the Alexandria,10
Louisiana, Chamber of Commerce which garnered three hundred members that same11
evening; and12
WHEREAS, the inaugural board of directors of the chamber was named on April 6,13
1914, following by the election of the first chamber board chairman, W.D. Haas, M.D.; and14
WHEREAS, one of the initial goals set by the fledgling chamber in 1914 was to15
attract one thousand members, a milestone that was achieved in November 2013; and16
WHEREAS, not only did Central Louisiana have the Alexandria, Louisiana,17
Chamber of Commerce to represent it, the Pineville Chamber of Commerce was established18
in 1951; and19 HLS 14RS-4383 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 120
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WHEREAS, the two chambers determined their efforts on behalf of the business1
community would be more effective together than separate, so in 1956, they merged to form2
the Chamber of Commerce of the Alexandria-Pineville Area; and3
WHEREAS, in order to better reflect a regional approach to economic development4
and overall community representation, in 1986, the name of the organization was changed5
to the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce;6
WHEREAS, over the past century, the chamber has held true to its mission and7
vision – it has promoted the cause of free enterprise and entrepreneurship and has been an8
effective advocate for business and industry in the Alexandria, Pineville, and throughout9
Central Louisiana; and10
WHEREAS, the 100th Anniversary is an appropriate time to honor the ninety-six11
past board chairmen, the over one hundred members who served on the board of directors,12
the hundreds of staff members who have worked for the board of directors through the past13
century, and the countless elected and community partners who have contributed to the14
success of the organization through the years.15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the16
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce17
on its 100th Anniversary18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted19
to the chairman of the board of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce.20
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)]
Harris HR No. 120
Commends the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce on its 100
th
Anniversary