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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 176
BY SENATOR MORRELL
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Leonard Galmon upon receipt of a prestigious Ron
Brown Scholarship and his acceptance by 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 Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4
recognizes the outstanding accomplishments Leonard Galmon has achieved in his eighteen5
years of life; and6
WHEREAS, over five thousand college-bound students applied for the nation's7
leading scholarship program for African-American youth with only twenty-six students8
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 SR NO. 176
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escaped into the world of books, reading three to four books each week, which influenced1
this young man to begin recognizing his potential; and2
WHEREAS, upon Leonard's return to New Orleans, a few weeks into his high school3
freshman year he enrolled at Walter L. Cohen High School where he remained4
notwithstanding a one hour and forty-five minute commute to school each day; and5
WHEREAS, Leonard joined the Cohen High art class in his sophomore year, which6
was held in a cinder block room with only one window and one easel that his teacher7
donated; and8
WHEREAS, with the paints his teacher gave him, a paintbrush that he picked up, and9
with a memory of the drawing lessons his Uncle Alfred had given him, Leonard produced10
his first masterpiece which was selected for a Contemporary Arts Center youth exhibit; and11
WHEREAS, the summer of 2012 gave Leonard a bedroom of his own, his first ever12
after living with seven people in a shotgun house, and a desire to draw; and13
WHEREAS, during his junior year at Cohen, Leonard continued his diligent studies14
and his art, but also developed a restlessness brewing deep inside that led him to enroll at15
Cohen College Prep and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) for his senior year16
of high school; and17
WHEREAS, Leonard knew from his days in Houston that he was going somewhere,18
but just not sure where; the counselors at Cohen College Prep were determined to help19
Leonard get there and assisted him in applying to top colleges outside New Orleans and20
Louisiana, to places Leonard had only heard of, as Leonard is the first in his family to apply21
to any college; and22
WHEREAS, while at NOCCA many creative firsts were being made by Leonard: his23
first screenprint, his first time painting in oils, his first sculpture, his first photography class,24
his first woodcut, and his first distinctive voice as a young artist; and25
WHEREAS, through Uncle Alfred and genetics, Leonard knew how to create, but26
he needed guidance and the opportunity to use the tools and techniques Leonard had never27
been exposed to; and 28
WHEREAS, recipients of Ron Brown scholarships dedicate themselves to enriching29
lives in their local communities and worldwide; and30 SR NO. 176
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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, to know 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 Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana8
does hereby commend Leonard Galmon upon receipt of a prestigious Ron Brown9
Scholarship and upon his acceptance by and plans to attend Yale University.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana also11
highly commends Leonard Galmon for challenging himself by taking the road less traveled12
and not taking the easy, comfortable route, and for never giving up.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to14
Leonard Galmon.15
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Cathy Wells.
DIGEST
Morrell SR No. 176
Commends Leonard Galmon upon receipt of a prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship and upon
his acceptance by and plans to attend Yale University.