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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 188
BY SENATOR MURRAY
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Bernard Chatters on being elected the first African
American president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Bernard Chatters on being elected the first African American president of the2
Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.3
WHEREAS, horse owner and trainer Bernard Chatters was elected president of the4
Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association in a run-off election held April5
28, 2014; and6
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association was7
formed in 1940 by a group of committed horsemen in New England; and 8
WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters is the first African American to hold the post as9
president; and 10
WHEREAS, nationally, the association has developed into an organization11
representing the interest of horsemen on a myriad of issues; and12
WHEREAS, there currently are over thirty thousand owner and trainer members of13
the association throughout the United States and Canada; and 14
WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters, born and educated in New Orleans, Louisiana, has15
a genuine love for horses and horse racing; and16
WHEREAS, the New Orleans native has resided for the past fourteen years in Lake17
Charles, Louisiana; and18 SR NO. 188
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WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters worked part-time as a hot-walker and a groomer at the1
fairgrounds and the old Jefferson Downs racetracks, while earning his degree in sociology2
and criminology from Dillard University, and this firsthand experience at the lower level of3
the industry served him well once he became an owner and trainer; and4
WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters has secured licenses in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas,5
New York, and Kentucky; and6
WHEREAS, as a horseman and family man, Bernard Chatters has come to know the7
ups and downs of the horse racing industry; and8
WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters believes that the core of thriving racetrack, farm, or9
racehorse operation is good management combined with respect and careful consideration10
for all involved; and11
WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters said that he "has a commitment to using the post as12
a means of developing a progressive agenda which will be consistent with the association's13
mission to improve horse racing across the state"; and14
WHEREAS, he promises to maintain a steadfast approach with respect to tradition,15
honor, and integrity issues; and16
WHEREAS, he commits to the reforming of payment procedures, developing a17
trainer financed retirement account, and improving the knowledge level regarding the horse18
racing industry among legislators and others; and19
WHEREAS, Bernard Chatters has been actively involved in the current session of20
the Louisiana Legislature, advocating for the passage of progressive legislation and the21
defeat of other legislation that would be detrimental to the horse racing industry.22
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana23
does hereby commend Bernard Chatters on being elected the first African American24
president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to26
Bernard Chatters and the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.27 SR NO. 188
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Angela L. De Jean.
DIGEST
Murray SR No. 188
Commends Bernard Chatters on being elected the first African American president of the
Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.