ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 57
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend a group of Louisiana State University engineering students who custom-
designed and constructed a beach-accessible wheelchair for a young woman from
Plaquemine as part of their senior capstone project.
WHEREAS, a group of nine Louisiana State University (LSU) mechanical and
electrical engineering students delivered on a project the previous year's seniors had started;
the culmination of eight months' worth of work was a custom wheelchair for Cheslyn
Simpson; and
WHEREAS, when Cheslyn was six years old, she was diagnosed with Friedreich's
ataxia, a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder; she began losing her ability to walk around
age thirteen; her family often travels to destinations with beaches, and her new wheelchair
will make accessing sandy beaches much easier; and
WHEREAS, the project was funded by donations and the students worked with
donated materials to finalize the project; every member of the group deserves a recognition:
Seth Collins, Kevin Durr, Grace Hebert, Brant Hoover, Daniel Lucas, Anthony Phan,
Emmanuel Rodriguez, Ryan Schroeder, and Carlos Villao, whose efforts were supported by
their primary advisor, Dr. Hunter Gilbert, and secondary advisor, Dr. Jerry Trahan; and
WHEREAS, the students designed a three-wheel chair that features a cooler,
Bluetooth music player, cup holder, and under glow lights and was finished in colors chosen
by Cheslyn; and
WHEREAS, taking on this project meant advocating for Cheslyn's right to
independent living in all public places; the students' dedication to complete the project
highlights the strength of their degrees from the LSU College of Engineering and their desire
to improve the quality of life for a fellow Louisianian; and
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WHEREAS, this project was an endeavor of which the team should forever be proud.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend LSU mechanical engineering students Seth Collins, Kevin Durr, Grace Hebert,
Daniel Lucas, and Ryan Schroeder and electrical engineering students Brant Hoover,
Anthony Phan, Emanuel Rodriguez and Carlos Villao all of whom collaborated to custom-
design and construct a beach-accessible wheelchair for a young woman from Plaquemine
as part of their senior capstone project and does hereby express to them enduring gratitude
for the extraordinary service they have provided to Cheslyn Simpson and her family and for
the honor they have brought to the LSU engineering program and the state of Louisiana with
their accomplishment and generosity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to each
of these exemplary young men and women and the Simpson family.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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