2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 130
BY SENATORS JOHNS, ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
BROWN, BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAITOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY, MILLS,
MORRELL, MORRISH, MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK, PERRY,
PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER,
THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE AND
REPRESENTATIVES FOIL, KLECKLEY AND ST. GERMAIN
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Colonel Paul Rainwater upon his retirement from the United States Army and
for his accomplishments.
WHEREAS, Colonel Rainwater retired from the United States Army on June 1,
2015, after serving twenty-five years in the Armed Forces of the United States, including
eight years in the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, he has acquired several notable accolades during his service to include:
the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Department of Defense Joint
Service Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and his unit was awarded the Joint
Meritorious Unit Award; and
WHEREAS, most recently the President of the United States awarded Colonel
Rainwater with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service to the Louisiana
Army National Guard, culminating as the Strategic Plans Officer; and
WHEREAS, he has distinguished himself with consistent and faithful service to his
state and nation, including selection for critical planning coordination and leadership
positions that have directly influenced the safety and security of the citizens of Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS, Colonel Rainwater has made immense contributions to state and local
government; and
WHEREAS, he most recently held the title of Chief of Staff under Governor Jindal's
administration, resigned in February of 2014 to pursue a career in the private sector; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Rainwater also served as Commissioner of Administration and
as Deputy Chief of Staff under Governor Jindal; and
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WHEREAS, prior to his work within the Governor's office, he served as Executive
Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) where he served as the authorized
representative to the White House special advisory for hurricane recovery, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Housing and Urban and Development
Disaster Recovery Office; and
WHEREAS, on multiple occasions Colonel Rainwater has provided leadership and
on-site situational awareness to the governor and the adjutant general of the state during
hurricanes Gustav, Ike, Issac, and the BP oil spill; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Rainwater also served as Legislative Director and Chief of
Operations for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu; and
WHEREAS, from June 2006 to January 2007, he served as Director of Hazard
Mitigation and Intergovernmental Affairs at the LRA, where he managed program policies,
served as team leader, and coordinated with state and federal agencies to set mitigation
priorities; and
WHEREAS, from July 2000 to June 2006, Colonel Rainwater served as the Chief
Administrative Officer for the city of Lake Charles; and
WHEREAS, he also formerly served as manager of governmental affairs for Conoco,
Inc., Gulf Coast Business Unit in Baton Rouge from June 1998 to July 2000; as manager of
public affairs for ARCO Chemical in Lake Charles from 1995 to May 1998; and as
administrative aide to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury in Lake Charles from 1988 to 1996;
and
WHEREAS, in addition to his public service duties, Rainwater also served as a
colonel with the Louisiana Army National Guard in the Joint Director of Military Support
for Disaster Response Unit, and prior to that, served as a lieutenant colonel in the
Congressional Liaison Office of the Louisiana Army National Guard and as a lieutenant
colonel in the United States Army Reserves working in the Operational Planning Cell of 3rd
Army Headquarters, setting up finance operations in Afghanistan, and working as a civil
affairs planning officer during Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Rainwater was part of the Early Entry Module forces deployed
after September 11, 2001; and
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WHEREAS, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Colonel Rainwater served as the
Deputy Adjutant for Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where he managed casualty operations,
replacement operations, special projects, and planned and executed the largest surge
operation since World War II; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Rainwater earned a bachelor's degree in government from
McNeese State University in Lake Charles, a master's degree in international relations from
Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, and is certified as a local government manager by
Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, his career exemplifies a true commitment to the armed forces, state
government, and the citizens of the state of Louisiana and the freedoms expressed by the
United States of America.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Colonel Paul Rainwater upon his retirement from the United States Army and for
his numerous impressive accomplishments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Colonel Paul Rainwater.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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