HLS 22RS-1161 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 24
BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Pinecrest Supports and Services Center in Pineville,
Louisiana, on the occasion of its one hundredth anniversary
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Pinecrest Supports and Services Center in Pineville, Louisiana, on the
3 occasion of its one hundredth anniversary.
4 WHEREAS, Pinecrest Supports and Services Center's story begins in 1884, nearly
5forty years prior to its opening, when one hundred twenty-nine patients were transferred
6from New Orleans Asylum and admitted into East Louisiana Hospital; these individuals all
7possessed some form of what is now known as an intellectual disability, and asylums did not
8provide the care they required; and
9 WHEREAS, thirty years after the transfer, the superintendent of East Louisiana
10Hospitals recommended the establishment of a specialized facility to provide treatment and
11care for patients with these types of disabilities; the request was granted by the legislature
12with Act No. 141 of 1918, which created Pinecrest; and
13 WHEREAS, in 1921, one thousand acres of land was purchased from Beauregard
14Development Company utilizing portions of Camp Beauregard that were used during World
15War I; on December 21 of that year, Pinecrest opened its facility to thirty-seven patients with
16specialized medical needs; its total budget for its first year of operations was $50,000, and
17the facility was completely self-sufficient with a working vegetable farm, dairy farm
18operation, and livestock such as chickens, hogs, and cattle; and
19 WHEREAS, the success of Pinecrest's mission to provide adequate care for
20individuals with specialized medical needs was evidenced by the increased funding the
21facility was given, which allowed it to evolve from a subsistence farming operation into one
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HR NO. 24
1that purchased necessities such as food; this allowed the facility to gradually repurpose land
2to accommodate a vastly larger array of patient services; and
3 WHEREAS, today, Pinecrest operates on seven hundred eighty-four acres of land
4and includes an on-ground bakery, a greenhouse, a canteen, a medical observation unit, a
5fully-functional dental clinic, a baseball field, a barn with pet therapy offerings, a pool, a
6gym, a school, and much more; and
7 WHEREAS, Pinecrest School is a year-round school operated by the Louisiana
8Department of Education that focuses on the specific curricula needs for the residents and
9patients; the school also offers a GED program for adult patients of the facility; and
10 WHEREAS, Pinecrest's campus also contains forty residential units; there are twelve
11day-service buildings where skill acquisition courses, active treatment and training, and
12vocational learning opportunities are offered; the facility has various work training options
13with the campus canteen, bakery, on-grounds delivery service, kitchen, and greenhouse;
14additionally, Pinecrest offers its patients further work training opportunities through
15contracts with community-based agencies; and
16 WHEREAS, Pinecrest Supports and Services Center is a truly invaluable asset to the
17state of Louisiana, and it is most deserving of the highest recognition for providing the
18necessary care to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
20Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Pinecrest Supports and Services Center in
21Pineville, Louisiana, on the occasion of its one hundredth anniversary; does hereby further
22recognize and record its impact on the progress made in the treatment of persons with
23intellectual disabilities; and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that it receive the support
24needed to continue its inspiring mission.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
26administrator of Pinecrest Supports and Services Center in Pineville, Louisiana.
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HR NO. 24
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 24 Original 2022 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Commends Pinecrest Supports and Services Center in Pineville, La., on the occasion of its
100th anniversary.
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