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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 15
BY REPRESENTATIVE STUART BISHOP
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Elijah Evans of Youngsville upon being named a top
youth volunteer of 2014 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Elijah Evans of Youngsville for being recognized as a top youth volunteer of2
2014 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.3
WHEREAS, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is a nationwide program4
honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism; and5
WHEREAS, sixteen-year-old Elijah Evans was nominated from Comeaux High6
School in Lafayette for the work he has done to raise the awareness of his community about7
child abuse and to improve the lives of foster children by promoting and hosting an annual8
Christmas party for children in foster care; and9
WHEREAS, Mr. Evans suffered abuse at the tender age of two, and spent years in10
foster care until he was adopted by a nurse who had cared for him during his many hospital11
stays; his adopted mother showed Elijah the love and care that has made him the12
compassionate individual he is today; and13
WHEREAS, his experiences implanted in him a desire to help others who were14
suffering as he had suffered; to that end, Elijah freely shared his own story of abuse at15
churches, schools, civic organizations, and with the media; he recruited volunteers, sold16
raffle tickets, and self-designed T-shirts, and collected donations; and17
WHEREAS, upon receiving a list of seventy-two foster children from the Louisiana18
Department of Children and Family Services, Elijah Evans used the funds he collected to19
host his first Christmas of Hope; since then, it has become a yearly event and Mr. Evans has20 HLS 14RS-1234 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 15
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formed "No Use For Abuse", an organization to pursue more initiatives to help abused1
children and foster children feel wanted; and2
WHEREAS, as a Prudential Spirit of Community Award recipient for 2014, Elijah3
Evans received a one thousand dollar award, an engraved silver medallion, and will travel4
to the nation's capitol May 3-6 to join award winners from other states for a series of national5
recognition events; and6
WHEREAS, students like Elijah Evans represent the best of America's youth and are7
role models to their peers and in their communities, and it is appropriate to congratulate him8
upon being selected to receive this recognition by the Prudential Spirit of Community9
Awards program.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the11
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Elijah Evans of Youngsville upon being12
recognized as a top youth volunteer by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program13
for 2014; does hereby extend to him heartiest congratulations for his continuing endeavors14
in shining the light of awareness on child abuse; and does hereby wish him much success as15
he continues to bring a Christmas of Hope each year to foster children in his community of16
Youngsville.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted18
to Elijah Evans.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)]
Stuart Bishop HR No. 15
Commends Elijah Evans of Youngsville upon being named a top youth volunteer of 2014
by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.