HLS 19RS-3729 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 296
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
COMMENDATIONS: To commend Lena R. Torres for her many years of public service
and numerous extraordinary accomplishments
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Lena R. Torres for her many years of public service and numerous
3 extraordinary accomplishments.
4 WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the citizens of Louisiana and the House of
5Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana recognize Lena R. Torres for her many years
6of public service and extraordinary accomplishments; and
7 WHEREAS, Lena Randazzo Torres is the daughter of the late Petrina Livaccari and
8Sam Randazzo who were both descendants of Palermo, Italy; and
9 WHEREAS, she is a graduate of Maumus High School and a graduate of Soule'
10Business College; and
11 WHEREAS, she was a loving and devoted wife to the love of her life, the late
12Sidney D. Torres, is a committed mother and cherished grandmother, great-grandmother,
13relative, and friend whose love of family and friends is of the utmost importance in her life;
14and
15 WHEREAS, her long and illustrious career in public service has spanned over
16seventy years, beginning and ending in the St. Bernard Clerk of Court's Office from 1940
17to 1946, moving to the Louisiana County Agricultural Extension Division from 1946 to
181956, becoming Chief Deputy Clerk of Court from 1956 to 1988, and being appointed Clerk
19of Court upon the death of her husband and Clerk of Court Sidney D. Torres Jr.; and
20 WHEREAS, she was elected Clerk of Court for St. Bernard Parish in 1988, was
21reelected five times, and served until her retirement in 2012; and
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1 WHEREAS, Lena is an exemplary and highly admired citizen of Louisiana who has
2worked tirelessly on a multitude of business, civic, community, political, and religious
3causes throughout her life; and
4 WHEREAS, she has been active and involved in numerous organizations: the
5St. Bernard Society for Crippled Children, St. Bernard Business and Professional Women's
6Club (Charter Member), St. Bernard Battered Women's Association, Louisiana Clerks of
7Court Association, National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks,
8International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Elected Officials and Treasurers, Suburban
9Woman's Club, Arabi Lions Women's Auxiliary, Chalmette Medical Center Auxiliary, Serra
10Club of St. Bernard (Charter Member), American Association of Retired Persons,
11Kiwanis Club, The Elenian Club, Canary Island Descendants Association, Los Islenos
12Cultural & Heritage Society, and the St. Bernard Parish Retired Teachers Association; and
13 WHEREAS, her honors and awards are vast and include receiving the Alliance for
14Good Government Past President's Award, Legislator of the Year in 1989, the Appreciation
15Award from Chalmette Strutters in 1994, the Strength in Age Award from Louisiana State
16University Medical Center in 1998, the Community Involvement Award for 1998-1999,
17Chamber of Commerce C. "Bud" Colomb Award in 2001, Civic Recognition Award, St.
18Bernard Business and Professional Women's Lifetime Achievement for Public Service to the
19People of St. Bernard Parish in 2002, and received a certificate of Special Recognition for
20fifty-two years of dedicated service from the Louisiana Center for Women and Government;
21and
22 WHEREAS, she served on the Board of Directors at St. Bernard Bank & Trust from
231988 to 1997, as chairman of the St. Bernard Chapter March of Dimes in 1989, the Louisiana
24Clerks of Court Association, Insurance Committee from 1994 to 1996, and 1999 to 2001,
25the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, board of directors from 1990 to 1992, and
261999 to 2001, Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, Court Appeal Liaison Committee from
271999 to 2001, as grand marshal at the Arabi School Mardi Gras Parade in 1994, as grand
28marshal at San Pedro Pescador 50th Year Boat Blessing in 1997, as master of ceremonies
29for the St. Bernard Catholic Church Caldo/Gumbo Festivadid in 1999, as hostess for
30Cinemagic in 2000, St. Bernard Parish Choruses as honorary chairperson of Annual Sweet
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1Times in St. Bernard in 2001, Benefit Family Services of St. Bernard Children's Service
2Fund, and as honorary hostess for Family Services of St. Bernard Children's Fund in 2001;
3and
4 WHEREAS, Lena R. Torres was selected Woman of the Year by St. Bernard
5Business and Professional Women's Club for 1993-1994, Woman of Fashion, Men of
6Fashion, Prix d'Elegance in 1993; and
7 WHEREAS, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Men of Fashion, Women of
8Fashion, Prix d'Elegance in 2002, and into the Hall of Fame-Louisiana Center for Women
9in Government and Business, Sports Hall of Fame, American Italian Society in 2002; and
10 WHEREAS, Lena R. Torres was recognized in 2009 by the Louisiana State Senate
11and House of Representatives in Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 153 and House
12Resolution No. 135 for her many years of invaluable public service to the citizens of
13St. Bernard Parish; and
14 WHEREAS, she is a staple and St. Bernard Parish fixture who deserves to be
15honored and respected for her commitment to public service, community involvement, and
16the positive impact she has bestowed on her community, parish, and the state of Louisiana;
17and
18 WHEREAS, not only is Lena R. Torres respected and admired in her professional
19life for her charm, integrity, and compassion, but she is also beloved by those in her personal
20life; and
21 WHEREAS, because of her numerous accomplishments in public and private life,
22she will forever be remembered by all the people whose lives she has touched, and the joy
23she leaves in the hearts of all those who have the honor of knowing her; and
24 WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
25and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure upon people like
26Lena Torres, who devote and dedicate their life and time to public service and who use their
27considerable talents and resources to benefit future generations.
28 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
29Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend and extend congratulations to Lena R.
30Torres on her many years of outstanding public service and her numerous contributions to
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HR NO. 296
1her community and her state, recognize her for her many extraordinary accomplishments,
2and wish her much success in all her future endeavors.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
4Lena R. Torres.
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 296 Original 2019 Regular Session Garofalo
Commends Lena R. Torres for her many years of public service and numerous extraordinary
accomplishments.
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