ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 167
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
A RESOLUTION
To commend Helen Louise Turner Rutledge for her many contributions to East Baton Rouge
Parish.
WHEREAS, Helen Louise Turner Rutledge is a Baton Rouge native, the oldest of
three children born to the Reverend Eddie Turner and Nettie Sparks Turner; while a student
at Southern University Laboratory School, Helen augmented her academics with choir,
basketball, and dance, and during her matriculation at Southern University and A & M
College, she studied early childhood development; and
WHEREAS, for more than twenty years, Helen coordinated workshops and
conventions for Community Advancement, Inc., and provided social services coordination
at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, Margaret Dumas Health Center, Ryan
Head Start, Monte Sano Head Start, and Greater New Guide Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, after serving on the human resources staff at East Baton Rouge Parish
Head Start, Helen returned to employment at Southern University, first in the office of the
Registrar, then as coordinator of International Students and Government Affairs; Helen was
selected as chairperson of Southern's homecoming and served in this capacity for many
years, and using skills taught in childhood and talents trained by her mother, she brought
new perspectives and insights to homecomings that increased appreciation of and
participation in the event by students, faculty and staff, and community businesses; and
WHEREAS, Helen Rutledge was employed by the East Baton Rouge city-parish
government to coordinate summer jobs for teens from single-parent homes and low-income
families; she was promoted to assistant director of Leo Butler Community Center where she
coordinated programs for children and seniors in the neighborhood, and among the visions
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she brought to fruition are the South Baton Rouge Hall of Fame and the South Baton Rouge
Wellness Walk and Talk; the second South Baton Rouge Wellness Walk and Talk will take
place Saturday, May 18, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Helen was the founder and director of an East Baton Rouge Parish
gospel choir of more than one hundred twenty members; this choir was nationally
recognized by world-renown gospel music legend, James Cleveland, and WXOK-AM radio
icon, Eula Mae Hatter; she has also directed church choirs and coordinated weddings and
social events; and
WHEREAS, with the support of her husband Robert and their daughters, Tiffany,
Endia, and Saminthia, and son Casey, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and godchildren,
Helen Rutledge lives her life by the Word of God and carries herself with the grace and style
imbued to her from childhood; upon the occasion of her retirement, it is fitting to herald this
grand lady and to commend her steadfast presence and contributions to her South Baton
Rouge community.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend and congratulate Helen Louise Turner
Rutledge upon the occasion of her retirement; does hereby record for posterity the many
deeds which bear her inimitable stamp and the landmark events she founded that have
become fixtures of the community; and does hereby express best wishes for health,
happiness, and continued fruitfulness in this next phase of her life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Helen
Rutledge.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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