ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 122
BY REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY
A RESOLUTION
To commend the firefighters of the Jefferson Parish East Bank Fire Department for their Fill
the Boot fund raising campaign to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
WHEREAS, since 1954 the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have had a partnership in the fight against
muscular dystrophy, ALS, and other neuromuscular diseases; and
WHEREAS, MDA is committed to transforming the lives of people affected by
muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases through innovations in
science and care, and MDA is the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease
research other than the federal government; and
WHEREAS, two thousand four hundred fifty-nine families in Louisiana are
registered with MDA, and because some of the diseases are hereditary, one family can have
more than two or three members registered; and
WHEREAS, MDA provides multi-disciplinary care centers for children and adults
at Children's Hospital of New Orleans, LSU Health Sciences Centers in New Orleans and
Shreveport, Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, and St. Francis Community
Health Center in Monroe; MDA also has a specialized ALS adult care center at LSU in New
Orleans; and
WHEREAS, the IAFF represents more than 300,000 professional firefighters and
paramedics who protect eighty-five percent of the nation's population; and
WHEREAS, as MDA's largest national partner, the IAFF has raised more than $650
million for MDA to date; and
WHEREAS, firefighters are also involved in MDA's summer camp for children with
muscular dystrophy, serving as volunteer counselors, cooking meals, and providing activities
for carnival day; and
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WHEREAS, today the IAFF/MDA partnership is supporting the expansion of
newborn screenings for Pompe disease or spinal muscular atrophy so that infants can be
immediately eligible for lifesaving and life changing therapies; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson Parish East Bank Consolidated Fire Department and
Jefferson Parish Local 1374 raised $79,973 during the 2018 Fill the Boot campaign which
will be used to support the vital work of MDA.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the firefighters of the Jefferson Parish East
Bank Consolidated Fire Department for their success during the 2018 Fill the Boot
campaign; does hereby recognize the compassion that these men and women have for those
in need; and does hereby extend to them best wishes in their partnership with the Muscular
Dystrophy Association.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Fire
Chief Dave Tibbetts.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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