SLS 181ES-36 ORIGINAL 2018 First Extraordinary Session SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 6 BY SENATOR PEACOCK COMMENDATIONS. Commends Shelly Taylor upon her retirement as chief executive officer of the Louisiana Association for the Blind in Shreveport. 1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION 2 To commend Elaine M. "Shelly" Taylor of Shreveport, Louisiana, for an outstanding career 3 as president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana Association for the Blind 4 (LAB), for her many contributions made on behalf of the advancement of services 5 for the visually impaired, and to congratulate her upon a well-deserved retirement. 6 WHEREAS, since 1995, Shelly Taylor has served LAB in numerous managerial and 7 executive positions, and in 2008, she was selected by its board of directors to lead the 8 organization as president and CEO; and 9 WHEREAS, during her twenty-two years of service to LAB, Shelly Taylor has been 10 a dynamo of enterprise, and her straight-forward approach and keen business savvy have 11 advanced the availability of employment and educational opportunities for employees to 12 attain self-sufficient lifestyles; and 13 WHEREAS, under her leadership and as a part of National Industries for the Blind 14 (NIB), LAB has increased integrated employment for individuals with vision loss through 15 expanded operations in its manufacturing, AbilityOne Base Supply Centers, commercial 16 enterprise development, and contractual agreements; and 17 WHEREAS, Shelly Taylor feels an obligation to inspire, encourage, and challenge 18 those around her; she facilitates a safe and flexible work environment where visually Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 6 SLS 181ES-36 ORIGINAL 1 impaired employees can perform to the best of their abilities; and 2 WHEREAS, Shelly has transformed LAB into an organization that exemplifies 3 integrity, transparency, and respect for all employees; with the implementation of a Quality 4 Work Environment program, employees have input and upward mobility within the agency, 5 and with adaptable workstations and extensive training, these employees are afforded 6 pathways to jobs that were previously inaccessible to those with low vision capacities; and 7 WHEREAS, during 2017, Louisiana Association for the Blind celebrated its ninetieth 8 anniversary, and Shelly has worked tirelessly to promote LAB within the community and 9 to recognize this impressive milestone of success; and 10 WHEREAS, Shelly Taylor has served with great distinction with membership and 11 board positions in the National Association for Employment of People Who Are Blind 12 (NAEPB), VisionServe Alliance, Rotary International, and many other nonprofit 13 organizations; and 14 WHEREAS, Shelly Taylor graduated with magna cum laude honors having earned 15 a liberal arts degree from Louisiana State University-Shreveport and having also earned a 16 Master of Business Administration degree from Centenary College where she serves on its 17 board of directors for Literacy Volunteers of Centenary College; and 18 WHEREAS, Shelly Taylor was twice honored as a nominee for the Athena Award 19 by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce; and 20 WHEREAS, Shelly Taylor is a management executive of the highest order who 21 possesses an abundance of interests and skills, she wears the mantle of community service 22 proudly and willingly, and she has left an indelible mark on the Louisiana Association for 23 the Blind during her tenure. 24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 25 commend Elaine M. "Shelly" Taylor for her outstanding achievements as president and CEO 26 of the Louisiana Association for the Blind, for her exemplary service to the visually impaired 27 citizens of the state of Louisiana, and for her many contributions made on behalf of her 28 community. 29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Shelly Taylor is hereby congratulated upon the 30 celebration of her well-earned retirement on September 20, 2017. Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 6 SLS 181ES-36 ORIGINAL 1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 2 Shelly Taylor, former president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana Association for 3 the Blind. The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague. DIGEST SCR 6 Original 2018 First Extraordinary Session Peacock Commends Shelly Taylor upon her retirement as president and CEO of the Louisiana Association for the Blind. Page 3 of 3