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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 191
BY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY BISHOP
EDUCATION: Commends Leonard Airaone Galmon upon receipt of a prestigious Ron
Brown Scholarship and his acceptance at Yale University
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Leonard Galmon upon receipt of a prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship and2
upon his acceptance by and plans to attend Yale University.3
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the House of Representatives of the4
Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the outstanding accomplishments Leonard Galmon has5
achieved in his eighteen years of life; and6
WHEREAS, over five thousand college-bound students applied for the Ron Brown7
Scholar Program, the nation's leading scholarship program for African-American youth, with8
only twenty-six students selected for the 2014 class of Scholars; and9
WHEREAS, Ron Brown Scholars are selected on the basis of demonstrated academic10
excellence, leadership potential, social commitment, and financial need; and11
WHEREAS, Leonard's success is deeply rooted in his own personal experience and12
life's journey; Leonard was born to a thirteen year old mother and lost his father to the streets13
of New Orleans when he was only four years old; and14
WHEREAS, five years later the winds of Hurricane Katrina destroyed Leonard's15
home, which forced a nine year old Leonard to sleep on the Claiborne Avenue bridge while16
protecting his younger siblings, including a newborn; and17
WHEREAS, while Leonard and his family were relocated in Houston, Leonard18
escaped into the world of books, reading three to four books each week, which influenced19
this young man to begin recognizing his potential; and20 HLS 14RS-5771 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, upon Leonard's return to New Orleans a few weeks into his high school1
freshman year, he enrolled at Walter L. Cohen High School where he remained,2
notwithstanding a one hour and forty-five minute commute to school each day; and3
WHEREAS, Leonard joined the Cohen High art class in his sophomore year, which4
was held in a cinder block room with only one window and one easel that his teacher5
donated; and6
WHEREAS, with the paints his teacher gave him, a paintbrush that he picked up, and7
with a memory of the drawing lessons his Uncle Alfred had given him, Leonard produced8
his first masterpiece which was selected for a Contemporary Arts Center youth exhibit; and9
WHEREAS, the summer of 2012 gave Leonard a bedroom of his own, his first ever10
after living with seven people in a shotgun house, and a desire to draw; and11
WHEREAS, during his junior year at Cohen, Leonard continued his diligent studies12
and his art, but also developed a restlessness brewing deep inside that led him to enroll at13
Cohen College Prep and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) for his senior year14
of high school; and15
WHEREAS, Leonard knew from his days in Houston that he was going somewhere,16
but just not sure where; the counselors at Cohen College Prep were determined to help17
Leonard get there and assisted him in applying to top colleges outside New Orleans and18
Louisiana, to places Leonard had only heard of, as Leonard is the first in his family to apply19
to any college; and20
WHEREAS, while at NOCCA, many creative firsts were being made by Leonard:21
his first screenprint, his first time painting in oils, his first sculpture, his first photography22
class, his first woodcut, and his first distinctive voice as a young artist; and23
WHEREAS, through Uncle Alfred and genetics, Leonard knew how to create, but24
he needed guidance and the opportunity to use the tools and techniques Leonard had never25
been exposed to; and26
WHEREAS, recipients of Ron Brown scholarships dedicate themselves to enriching27
lives in their local communities and worldwide; and28 HLS 14RS-5771 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, at eighteen years of age, Leonard Galmon has already enriched the lives1
of his family members, his many friends, the city of New Orleans, and the state of Louisiana;2
and3
WHEREAS, we know what kind of man Leonard will become by looking at4
Leonard's art work, which is filled with images of his precious siblings, knowing that5
Leonard Galmon is a man that cares deeply for his family and desires to make a positive6
difference in the lives of everyone he touches.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the8
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Leonard Galmon upon receipt of a9
prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship and upon his acceptance by and plans to attend Yale10
University.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature12
of Louisiana also highly commends Leonard Galmon for challenging himself by taking the13
road less traveled and not taking the easy, comfortable route, and for never giving up.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to15
Leonard Galmon.16
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)]
Wesley Bishop HR No. 191
Commends Leonard Galmon upon receipt of a prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship and upon
his acceptance by and plans to attend Yale University.