2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 100
BY SENATOR MILKOVICH
A RESOLUTION
To commend Reverend R. Henry Martin for twenty-eight years of outstanding leadership
as the executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission.
WHEREAS, in 1955, Reverend R. G. Jones and several Christian businessmen
founded the Shreveport Rescue Mission for the purpose of providing overnight shelter and
gospel service for men passing through Shreveport; and
WHEREAS, the mission quickly became a sign of hope and help, not only for
transient men, but also for local homeless, hungry, and hurting citizens; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, a new era for the mission began with the appointment of
Reverend R. Henry Martin as executive director, a position he held for the next twenty-eight
years; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, relatively early in his tenure, and definitely a sign of things to
come, the name of the mission was changed to the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission to
reflect increased programming, scope of services, and population served; and
WHEREAS, while there are many more accomplishments of the mission under the
leadership of Reverend Martin, highlights of those accomplishments include the
establishment of a new multimillion dollar mission shelter and life center, the establishment
of a thrift store to help finance the mission's work, and the institution of a Christ-centered
recovery program which was complimented by a staff that grew from two to forty-five
employees by the time of his retirement; and
WHEREAS, other highlights include a new one hundred fifty-four-bed facility built
to address the community's growing need for the mission to provide assistance and help to
women and families with children, and the establishment of the Women's Discipleship
Training Program in 2010; and
WHEREAS, finally, no list of the mission's accomplishments during his tenure
would be complete without also mentioning the building of a clinic to provide free medical
and dental care to guests of the mission; and
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WHEREAS, Reverend Martin's initiatives are recognized by his peers as a national
model for Christian outreach that can transform the lives of homeless individuals by
addressing their needs through preaching, counseling, and mentorship; and
WHEREAS, in the span of his career with the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission,
Reverend Martin's work has helped touch, change, and transform the lives of thousands of
homeless men, women, and children with the gospel of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure upon extraordinary
citizens possessed of the leadership, compassion, drive, and generosity such as that of
Reverend Martin, and recognition for his accomplishments and contributions is an honor
well deserved.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Reverend R. Henry Martin for twenty-eight years of outstanding
leadership as the executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission and wish him
only the best in his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Reverend R. Henry Martin.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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