SLS 16RS-2124 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 91
BY SENATOR HEWITT
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Shirley Wilkins for community service in providing
college scholarships for area students and promoting awareness of the effects of drinking and
driving.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend Shirley Wilkins for her community service in providing college scholarships
3 for area students and promoting awareness of the affects of drinking and driving.
4 WHEREAS, this year, eleven recent graduates of St. Tammany Parish schools are
5 continuing their education with new laptop computers and a $250 stipend each, awarded by
6 the Alexis Keoka Marie Wilkins Scholarship Fund; and
7 WHEREAS, the fund was created by Shirley Wilkins in memory of her daughter, a
8 Fontainebleau High School senior, who was killed by a drunken driver on February 26,
9 2004; and
10 WHEREAS, as stated by Shirley Wilkins, "Alexis was always about helping the
11 underdog, helping those who had something they needed .... "That's what this is all about.";
12 and
13 WHEREAS, the scholarship was established to promote awareness about drinking
14 while driving and to help high school seniors entering college for the first time and the
15 foundation's scholarship committee has partnered with the Slidell Church Basketball League
16 to provide deserving St. Tammany Parish high school seniors the awards; and
17 WHEREAS, since its establishment, the foundation has awarded more than $77,000
18 in scholarships to 82 recipients and in the last nine years, the foundation has given not only
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SLS 16RS-2124 ORIGINAL
1 monetary gifts, but sixty-four laptop computers to the students provided through the
2 generous donations of doctors and other community leaders and patrons; and
3 WHEREAS, in addition to awarding the scholarships, the foundation also sponsors
4 annually the Alexis Wilkins 3-Mile Walk, and celebrated its fifth year of sponsoring the
5 walk with the theme, "Teens and Parents Against Drinking While Driving"; and
6 WHEREAS, the foundation also donates to other nonprofit organizations, provides
7 tutorial services, supports local gospel concerts, drama and theater, and supports Keeping
8 Slidell Beautiful.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana that
10 Shirley Wilkins is hereby commended for her community service in providing college
11 scholarships for area students and promoting awareness of the affects of drinking and
12 driving.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
14 Shirley Wilkins.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 91 Original 2016 Regular Session Hewitt
Commends Shirley Wilkins for her community service in providing college scholarships for
area students and promoting awareness of the effects of drinking and driving.
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