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