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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 120
BY REPRESENTATIVES HARRIS, DIXON, HAZEL, AND JOHNSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce on its 100th Anniversary.
WHEREAS, the mission of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is to
advocate pro-business policies and to deliver innovative programming and services that
create an environment for economic growth; and
WHEREAS, the vision of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is to be an
influential, vital, dynamic force in the Central Louisiana region for creating the preferred
community in which to live and conduct business; and
WHEREAS, on March 30, 1914, two hundred fifty business and professional leaders
from the Alexandria area met at the Hotel Bentley and decided to form the Alexandria,
Louisiana, Chamber of Commerce which garnered three hundred members that same
evening; and
WHEREAS, the inaugural board of directors of the chamber was named on April 6,
1914, followed by the election of the first chamber board chairman, W.D. Haas, M.D.; and
WHEREAS, one of the initial goals set by the fledgling chamber in 1914 was to
attract one thousand members, a milestone that was achieved in November 2013; and
WHEREAS, not only did Central Louisiana have the Alexandria, Louisiana,
Chamber of Commerce to represent it, the Pineville Chamber of Commerce was established
in 1951; and
WHEREAS, the two chambers determined their efforts on behalf of the business
community would be more effective together than separate, so in 1956, they merged to form
the Chamber of Commerce of the Alexandria-Pineville Area; and
WHEREAS, in order to better reflect a regional approach to economic development
and overall community representation, in 1986, the name of the organization was changed
to the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce; ENROLLEDHR NO. 120
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WHEREAS, over the past century, the chamber has held true to its mission and
vision; it has promoted the cause of free enterprise and entrepreneurship and has been an
effective advocate for business and industry in Alexandria, Pineville, and throughout Central
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the 100th Anniversary is an appropriate time to honor the ninety-six
past board chairmen, the over one hundred members who served on the board of directors,
the hundreds of staff members who have worked for the board of directors through the past
century, and the countless elected and community partners who have contributed to the
success of the organization through the years.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce
on its 100th Anniversary
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the chairman of the board of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES