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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 216
BY REPRESENTATIVE DIXON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Disabled American Veterans Department of Louisiana, upon the occasion of
its ninety-second annual state convention and recognize the admirable, tireless work
the organization does for disabled veterans and their families throughout our state
and nation.
WHEREAS, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was founded in 1920 to fulfill our
country's promise to those who served; and
WHEREAS, Disabled American Veterans Department of Louisiana, was established
in Louisiana in 1922, is headquartered in Baton Rouge, and is made up of seventeen chapters
throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, DAV is a unique organization of disabled veterans helping disabled
veterans; and
WHEREAS, DAV Central Louisiana Chapter 7 was established in 1959 to serve the
Pineville and Alexandria areas; and
WHEREAS, the name of DAV Central Louisiana Chapter 7 was changed in 2007
to Paul P. Benoit Memorial Chapter 7, after an esteemed physician's assistant who worked
at the Alexandria Veterans Association Medical Center and who was the driving force
behind the local chapter's success over ten years; and
WHEREAS, currently composed of seven hundred twenty-nine members, the Paul
P. Benoit Memorial Chapter 7 is tirelessly involved in the community by coordinating
projects that make a difference in the lives of veterans such as having wheelchairs repaired,
by brightening Christmas for those in the hospital and veterans homes by giving each hero
a Christmas card with a five dollar bill inside, and by ringing the Salvation Army bell for
donations for those in need; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 216
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WHEREAS, in addition to caring, personal outreach, DAV, Department of
Louisiana, helps financially support Louisiana veterans homes and donates its labor and
resources to provide flags and wreaths for two veterans' cemeteries, Alexandria National
Cemetery in Pineville and the newly opened Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in
Leesville; and
WHEREAS, composed of one million two hundred thousand members nationwide,
DAV empowers veterans to lead full, high-quality lives with respect and dignity by ensuring
that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; and
WHEREAS, DAV fights for the interests of our nation's injured heroes and works
to educate the public about the incredible sacrifices our veterans have made for the United
States; and
WHEREAS, DAV provides free, professional assistance to veterans and their
families in obtaining benefits earned through military service while caring for the
complicated needs of those American heroes who are transitioning back to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, DAV is politically active, representing the interests of disabled
veterans, their families, their widowed spouses, and their orphans; and
WHEREAS, DAV provides a structure through which disabled veterans can express
compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer and outreach programs,
which creates a community of belonging and comraderie through common experiences; and
WHEREAS, the national DAV organization, as well as the state department and local
chapters, are supported by membership dues, through fundraising events, and through the
generous support of ordinary Americans throughout the nation who recognize the
importance of their mission; and
WHEREAS, DAV is an invaluable and vital organization dedicated to aiding
American heroes for their noble and admirable service to the United States of America.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Disabled American Veterans, Department
of Louisiana, upon the occasion of its ninety-second annual state convention and does hereby
extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the work that it does in local communities, the
state of Louisiana, and throughout the United States to show respect and appreciation for
disabled veterans. ENROLLEDHR NO. 216
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the Paul P. Benoit Memorial Chapter 7 of DAV Department of Louisiana.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES