2017 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 58 BY SENATOR MILLS A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION To commend the Southern Mutual Help Association for its support in disaster recovery. WHEREAS, Southern Mutual Help Association (SMHA) was founded in 1969 to be an agent of change in rural Louisiana; and WHEREAS, its mission is to build strong, healthy, and prosperous rural communities with an emphasis on families and communities whose livelihoods are interdependent with the land and water; and WHEREAS, SMHA and its leadership have been recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally, having received numerous awards for innovation and excellence in community and economic development; and WHEREAS, during a disaster, SMHA's focus is on recovery and redevelopment; and WHEREAS, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, SMHA was able to gain quick access to impacted areas, thereby completing critical assessments and begin raising more than ten million dollars in nongovernmental revenue and recruiting more than six thousand volunteers; and WHEREAS, through the efforts of SMHA, volunteers worked on the recovery of one thousand sixty-four homes, businesses, and churches across coastal Louisiana; and WHEREAS, Southern Mutual Help Association has proven to be an essential component of recovery and redevelopment during the rebuilding of Louisiana after the most devastating storms in Louisiana's history. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Southern Mutual Help Association for its tremendous contributions after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, does hereby support its efforts in recovery and redevelopment for future disasters because of its strong track reputation and proven track record in disaster relief and recovery, and does hereby acknowledge the necessity to gain quick access to impacted areas in order to make critical assessments, begin fundraising efforts, and recruit volunteers. Page 1 of 2 SCR NO. 58 ENROLLED BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Southern Mutual Help Association. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 2 of 2