2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 60
BY SENATOR ALARIO
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) upon celebrating its seventieth
anniversary.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) was established in 1946
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 that 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, 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; and
WHEREAS, the LRA is one of the largest business organizations in the state; and
WHEREAS, the restaurant industry in Louisiana is one of the state's largest private
employers, providing jobs to over 204,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, restaurants in Louisiana are expected to generate sales of $8.7 billion
in 2016; and
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 PAC contributions, and provide philanthropy and connectivity with
the LRA Education Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) is a philanthropic foundation
within the Louisiana Restaurant Association, which exists to enhance the industry's service
to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career
opportunities; and
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WHEREAS, the LRA's ProStart program is a two-year culinary management
program for high school juniors and seniors with a curriculum designed to teach students
culinary techniques as well as restaurant management skills; and
WHEREAS, ProStart is in 60 high schools statewide and more than 1,600 students
participate in the program; and
WHEREAS, the LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to support the
continuing education of individuals pursuing a career in the culinary and/or hospitality
industry; and
WHEREAS, the LRAEF has awarded $340,000 in scholarships to students in support
of their continuing education in the culinary and hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, the LRA Self Insurer's Fund has been the hospitality industry's preferred
solution for workers' compensation since 1982; and
WHEREAS, the LRA hosts the annual Louisiana Foodservice and Hospitality EXPO,
now in its 63rd year, and 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, alcohol
and allergens training to the restaurant and hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, in celebrating its 70th anniversary milestone, 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 dedicated to the needs of
foodservice professionals.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the Louisiana Restaurant Association upon celebrating its seventieth anniversary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Restaurant Association.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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