SLS 17RS-371 ORIGINAL 2017 Regular Session SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 54 BY SENATOR CHABERT LEGIS POWERS/FUNCTIONS. Recognizes Monday, May 22, 2017, as LUMCON Day at the Louisiana State Capitol and commends the members of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for Research and Education. 1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION 2 To recognize Monday, May 22, 2017, as "LUMCON Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol 3 and to commend the members of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for 4 Research and Education. 5 WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the Legislature of Louisiana commends the 6 members of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for Research and Education 7 (LUMCON), the state's greatest marine science asset with the mission to promote, facilitate, 8 and conduct research and education collaborations among Louisiana's universities in marine 9 and coastal sciences relevant to the sustainability of coastal and marine environments of the 10 Gulf of Mexico; and 11 WHEREAS, founded in 1979, LUMCON has become a leading marine research and 12 education consortium that stimulates, coordinates, and facilitates scientific research among 13 the marine science and education programs within Louisiana; and 14 WHEREAS, LUMCON connects its members to enhance research collaboration and 15 exchange partnerships by removing barriers for collaboration and leveraging group 16 knowledge, bolstering marine research of scientists, providing infrastructure needed for its 17 members, providing and creating innovative science-infused field and skill courses, 18 continuing to build tools and processes needed for a healthy consortium, and expanding its Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 54 SLS 17RS-371 ORIGINAL 1 network; and 2 WHEREAS, LUMCON is transforming marine science in Louisiana by contributing 3 to science and conservation in meaningful and profound ways through leveraging of assets 4 like the DeFelice Marine Center, a world-class fleet of research vessels, and an 5 environmental monitoring program; and 6 WHEREAS, LUMCON operates and maintains one of the largest fleets of research 7 vessels along the Gulf of Mexico; and with a long and distinguished career of service, 8 LUMCON's marine operations are unmatched in the Gulf of Mexico and have gained respect 9 from researchers and educators worldwide; and 10 WHEREAS, the R/V Pelican is the flagship of LUMCON's research fleet and is 11 outfitted to conduct a variety of oceanographic research missions; the reliability, utility, and 12 seaworthiness of the vessel and crew are well demonstrated since 1985, and is heralded by 13 the scientific community; and often referred to by oceanographers as the "Workhorse of the 14 Gulf", the R/V Pelican has a long track record of excellence in scientific research; and 15 WHEREAS, LUMCON is committed to strengthening the marine science community 16 through education and outreach initiatives; and 17 WHEREAS, LUMCON's education program purpose is to enable the development 18 of the next generation of marine scientists and ocean-literate citizens by providing 19 meaningful and relevant place-based and skill-based experiences for all, while aiming to 20 have significant impact on Louisiana's diverse citizenry including those populations 21 underrepresented and underserved in marine science; and 22 WHEREAS, LUMCON is currently finalizing a strategic plan to guide the 23 organization to a position of greater service, science, and sustainability; and 24 WHEREAS, LUMCON stands strong on its values of highest quality of education 25 programs, scientific inquiry, academic integrity, exchange of ideas and information, 26 opportunities for students who are underrepresented in marine science, and increasing 27 societal awareness of the environmental, economic, and cultural values of Louisiana's coast. 28 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 29 recognize Monday, May 22, 2017, as "LUMCON Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol and 30 does hereby commend and express enduring appreciation to the members of LUMCON for Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 54 SLS 17RS-371 ORIGINAL 1 the tremendous honor and pride they bring to the state of Louisiana. 2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the 3 Louisiana Board of Regents. The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tammy Crain Waldrop. DIGEST SCR 54 Original 2017 Regular Session Chabert Recognizes Monday, May 22, 2017, as LUMCON Day at the Louisiana State Capitol Day and to commend the members of LUMCON. Page 3 of 3