ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 65
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend the Louisiana Restaurant Association upon the celebration of its seventieth
anniversary.
WHEREAS, in 1946, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) was established
to advocate on behalf of the state's foodservice and hospitality industry among elected
officials and regulatory agencies; and
WHEREAS, the LRA is a trade association governed by a volunteer board of
directors; the association supports restaurants and foodservice, owners, operators,
franchisees, managers, culinary leaders, caterers, hotels, industry suppliers, and related
businesses in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the 2016 LRA officers are Katy Casbarian of Arnaud's Restaurant,
chair; Fabian Castillo of La Casa Del Sol, vice chair; Greg Reggio of Taste Buds
Management, treasurer; and Rob King of Pitt Grills and Southern Kitchens, secretary; and
WHEREAS, the LRA partners with the National Restaurant Association to bring
Louisiana members more tools and resources needed to advocate on behalf of the state's
foodservice and hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, the LRA is one of the biggest business organizations in the state; the
restaurant industry in Louisiana is one of the state's largest private employers, providing jobs
to more than two hundred thousand residents; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, restaurants in Louisiana are expected to generate sales of $8.7
billion; and
Page 1 of 3 HCR NO. 65 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, the LRA is comprised of nine chapters throughout the state designed
to localize member experience by peer to peer interactions, engage in leadership
development and cultivation, provide support and advocacy efforts at the local and state
level through Hospitality Political Action Committee contributions, and provide
philanthropy and connectivity with the LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF); and
WHEREAS, the LRAEF is a philanthropic foundation within the LRA; the LRAEF
exists to enhance the industry's service to the public through education, community
engagement, and promotion of career opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the LRAEF scholarship fund was created in 2009 to support the
continuing education of individuals pursuing a career in the culinary or hospitality industry;
the LRAEF has awarded $340,000 in scholarships to students in support of their desire to
continue their education in the culinary and hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, the LRA's ProStart program is a two-year culinary management
program for high school juniors and seniors; the program has a curriculum that is designed
to teach students culinary techniques as well as restaurant management skills; and
WHEREAS, ProStart exists in sixty schools throughout Louisiana, and more than
1,600 students participate in the program; and
WHEREAS, since 1982, the LRA Self Insurer's Fund has been the hospitality
industry's preferred solution for workers' compensation; and
WHEREAS, for sixty-three years, the LRA has served as the proud host of the annual
Louisiana Foodservice and Hospitality EXPO, which brings the best tools and opportunities
for restaurants and hospitality-related businesses in the Gulf South; and
WHEREAS, the LRA ServSafe program provides food safety and sanitation and
alcohol and allergens training to the restaurant and hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, in celebration of its seventieth anniversary, the LRA has reintroduced
its pelican mascot, Louie, which first appeared in 1950 in the LRA's A La Carte magazine,
a quarterly publication and the only magazine in Louisiana that is dedicated to the needs of
foodservice professionals.
Page 2 of 3 HCR NO. 65 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the Louisiana Restaurant Association upon the celebration of its seventieth
anniversary and does hereby extend to all LRA members best wishes for continued success
and happiness in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3