2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 35
BY SENATOR LUNEAU
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Sara Simmonds on her many outstanding accomplishments.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the citizens and the Senate of the Legislature
of Louisiana recognize the numerous accomplishments of Sara Simmonds; and
WHEREAS, Sara Simmonds of Alexandria, Louisiana is ninety-eight years young
and has accomplished so many remarkable and outstanding things throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, Sara is smart, loyal, adventurous, giving, positive, and optimistic and
she displays all of her great qualities in all that she does; and
WHEREAS, she initiated the reintroduction of Whooping Cranes to Louisiana, and
at eighty-eight she traveled to Bhutan to learn about cranes; she was the initial private funder
of the efforts to restore Whooping Cranes to Louisiana and remains a major donor; and
WHEREAS, she also helped fund research at Louisiana State University that was
necessary for the approval of the reintroduction of the Whopping Cranes by the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
WHEREAS, she has served as an ambassador for the state of Louisiana and has
hosted dozens of out of state scientists from South Korea, Zambia, and Russia, always the
consummate host providing guests with an indelible image of Louisiana hospitality and hope
for a better world; and
WHEREAS, it was brought to Sara's attention several years ago that some soldiers
leaving and arriving at the airport in Alexandria, Louisiana did not always have the means
of getting lunch nor were they treated with the respect and honor they deserved; and
WHEREAS, Sara made it her personal mission to change the culture of the airport
by pulling together several of her friends and began a plan of action, that every soldier
leaving or arriving from the Alexandria, Louisiana airport 24/7 was greeted with an apple
pie, soft drink, hugs, and love from Sara and her friends; and
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WHEREAS, in Sara's humble apartment are flags and heartfelt mementos from
soldiers all over the United States expressing their appreciation for the simple acts of
kindness that were exhibited by Sara and her friends; and
WHEREAS, Sara Simmonds was made an honorary general by Fort Polk for her
efforts and acts of kindness and numerous dignitaries throughout the United States, including
the governor of Idaho at the time, Jack Kempthorne, who traveled to Alexandria to thank her
for making sure all soldiers traveling in or out of Alexandria were properly honored; and
WHEREAS, she was also responsible for acquiring funds to build ten prison chapels
in our state prisons, she also has paid for buses to take at-risk kids, along with their probation
officer, to Angola to learn from the inmates about the dangers of inappropriate behavior, in
addition she has supported out-of-state field based courses for graduate students who are in
the Louisiana State University School of Renewable Resources so they can learn about
wetlands and wildlife issues in those regions, thereby strengthening their education; and
WHEREAS, at eighty-eight, Sara went on a cruise to the North Pole and, upon their
arrival many of the Europeans jumped into the Arctic Ocean for the Arctic Plunge but none
of the younger Americans on the trip would, so Sara said she could not have America shown
up and bailed off the boat into the water, at ninety-five she went on a two week camping trip
(in tents) across Mongolia and last year provided a video of her zip lining across a large lake
at the Wesley Center in central Louisiana, and she is currently planning a skydiving trip in
the next couple of months; and
WHEREAS, at ninety-six, Sara asked a friend if she would write her a reference
letter for a spiritual development program that was two years in length, the friend did and
she was accepted and has blown everyone there away, with her character and wit; and
WHEREAS, Sara Simmonds is a light and an inspiration to others and her story and
deeds deserve to be recognized by the Senate of the state of Louisiana and to be used as a
guidepost to others finding their purpose and inspiring others; 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 people like Sara
Simmonds who lead by example and make the world a better place for all our future
generations, a true Louisiana hero, and an inspiration to all who are fortunate enough to
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know her.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Sara Simmonds on her many outstanding
accomplishments and wish her much success on all of her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Sara Simmonds.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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