HLS 19RS-3144 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 218
BY REPRESENTATIVE CREWS
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Autry Lowry for his accomplishments
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Autry Lowry for his accomplishments.
3 WHEREAS, Autry Lowry has been a firefighter for seventeen years; a firefighter at
4Benton Fire District #4, Autry is also president of Local 4015; and
5 WHEREAS, due to an injury and resulting extensive neck surgery, and subsequent
6studies, four more surgeries, and horrific pain, Autry experienced traumatic stress; he
7withdrew at work and at home, inadvertently alienating colleagues and family members; and
8 WHEREAS, during a leave of absence after his final surgery, Autry's younger
9daughter took up archery; he and Maddie often visited the local archery shop in the evenings
10to practice shooting; and
11 WHEREAS, Autry found purpose in this new activity which he and his daughter
12shared and bonded over; he began volunteering with Maddie's archery team at Benton
13Elementary School; he particularly wanted to help out one of Maddie's classmates who
14participated in archery but needed a little extra guidance because of her cerebral palsy; and
15 WHEREAS, when Autry started helping young Rylie Duos, she was sitting down to
16shoot; Autry went to the drawing board and designed a bow stand for her; it was a work in
17progress for a while, as he observed how she used it, what worked for her with it, and he
18would take it home to tweak it after practices; he did this until the bow stand was just right
19for Rylie; and
20 WHEREAS, helping Maddie and Rylie and their teammates at Benton Elementary
21helped get Autry out of the depression he had been in; the mentee became the mentor as
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HR NO. 218
1Autry saw clearly that if Rylie did not let obstacles stop her from living life to the fullest, nor
2should he; and
3 WHEREAS, Autry resolved to seek professional help through the International
4Association of Firefighters Center of Excellence, a rehabilitation and treatment center for
5firefighters in Maryland; there he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
6and depression; resistant to such a diagnosis at first, Autry eventually accepted his condition;
7and
8 WHEREAS, Autry had previously associated PTSD with service members, but now
9understands it can affect many people, including first responders such as himself; he is now
10a huge advocate for mental and behavioral health services and for people seeking out help
11when they need it; and
12 WHEREAS, he is passionate and vocal about PTSD, but as he continues his healing
13process, he still finds helping the archery team rewarding and fulfilling.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
15Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Autry Lowry for his accomplishments; does
16hereby recognize and record for posterity his ability to overcome obstacles; and does hereby
17wish him every measure of happiness and success in his future.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Autry
19Lowry.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 218 Original 2019 Regular Session Crews
Commends Autry Lowry on his accomplishments.
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