SLS 17RS-2887 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181
BY SENATOR GATTI
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the city of Minden on its many accomplishments and for
its efforts raising money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend the city of Minden on its many accomplishments and for its efforts raising
3 money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
4 WHEREAS, since Charles Hanse Veneer laid out plans for a town in the shape of a
5 parallelogram in 1837 and named the proposed settlement Minden, after the home of his
6 ancestors in Germany, the beautiful town in Caddo Parish has had a proud history marked
7 by many successes; and
8 WHEREAS, in its early history, Minden was home to many devout denominations
9 of Christians, including Methodists, Baptists, and Episcopalians, and many of its early
10 settlers were from Germany, England, and from South Carolina and Georgia; and
11 WHEREAS, the economic life of the community has always centered around
12 commerce on Bayou Dorcheat, and the city has served as a shipping point for much of the
13 interior of North Louisiana; and
14 WHEREAS, despite a string of tragedies over the years, including the Civil War and
15 a major fire followed by a tornado in 1933, which together destroyed over half the town and
16 killed twenty-eight people, the city and people persevered; and
17 WHEREAS, the current day city of Minden is a thriving place where many of the
18 city's early homes and businesses have been preserved and lend to it a reputation as a place
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SLS 17RS-2887 ORIGINAL
1 that treasures its past and respects its roots; and
2 WHEREAS, quality economic growth is a strategic goal of the city, which has
3 implemented the Economic Development Strategy to focus on business retention and
4 expansion, and the city has invested heavily in the Minden Airport, which includes over
5 thirty new T-Hangers and will soon begin construction of a new fuel facility and terminal
6 building; and
7 WHEREAS, the downtown area of the city is known as one of the most beautiful in
8 Louisiana, thanks in large part to a collaboration of the residents, business community, and
9 Downtown Development Board, which is one of the oldest in the state and hosts many
10 events, including the annual Main to Main event, the Fasching Festival and Parade, the Wrap
11 it Downtown Christmas project, and the annual Mardi Gras parade; and
12 WHEREAS, the people of Minden are generous in many ways and nothing
13 demonstrates this more than the four decades of raising money for the St. Jude Children's
14 Research Hospital; and
15 WHEREAS, the Minden St. Jude auction began on KASO 1240 AM radio forty years
16 ago and has grown to a four-day telethon and raffle that is simultaneously broadcast on the
17 radio and cable station and since its inception, the community has generously given over
18 four million dollars to help the hospital care for children suffering with cancer, an amount
19 that makes Minden's citizens hold the claim of raising more money for St. Jude per capita
20 than any other city; and
21 WHEREAS, its proud history, thriving culture, dedication to modern growth and
22 development, and the loving generosity of its people have made Minden, Louisiana, a great
23 place to live, work, and visit.
24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
25 does hereby commend the city of Minden its many accomplishments and for its efforts
26 raising money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
28 mayor of the city of Minden, Tommy Davis.
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SLS 17RS-2887 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
SR 181 Original 2017 Regular Session Gatti
Commends the city of Minden on its many accomplishments and for its efforts raising
money for the St. Jude Research Hospital.
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