2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 121
BY SENATORS MILLIGAN, BOUDREAUX, CATHEY, FOIL, PEACOCK, REESE
AND TARVER
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Louisiana National Guard on its exemplary service to the state of
Louisiana during the last two years of unprecedented natural disasters.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard has performed commendable work and
displayed tremendous dedication through its efforts to protect the lives and welfare of
Louisianians; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard fulfills its federal and state missions in
concert with a wide variety of statewide organizations; and
WHEREAS, by air, by land, and by water, the Louisiana National Guard bravely
carries out its duties in any emergency with the core principles of discipline and teamwork;
and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard has supported the response to the
pandemic since the first known case of COVID-19 in March of 2020; and
WHEREAS, due to the efforts of the Louisiana National Guard, more than four
hundred ninety-seven thousand individuals were tested at twenty-three testing sites
statewide, over two million food boxes were distributed, over sixty-one million items of
personal protective equipment (PPE) were delivered, and one hundred ninety-one thousand
two hundred ninety-eight vaccines were administered; and
WHEREAS, throughout five waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the soldiers and
airmen of the Louisiana National Guard have developed specialized skills to better prepare
for future pandemics; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard disaster response to COVID-19 supported
missions including food and water distribution, transportation, communication, public
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works, engineering, emergency management, mass care, emergency assistance, logistics
management, COVID-19 testing, public safety, security, traffic control, generators, power
supply, and food bank operations; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Laura came ashore in south Louisiana August 27, 2020, as
a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph, causing catastrophic flooding and
damage; and
WHEREAS, more than six thousand Louisiana National Guard members were
deployed, using two hundred thirty-six high water vehicles, seventy-six boats, and seventeen
helicopters to support hurricane rescue efforts, in addition to over a dozen engineering teams
trained to help move debris and clear roads; and
WHEREAS, Guardsmen helped evacuate more than three hundred fifty-eight people
and twenty-nine pets from the affected areas; and
WHEREAS, after Hurricane Laura, Guardsmen distributed over five million
meals-ready-to-eat (MREs), seven million liters of water, one million bags of ice, and two
hundred thousand tarps to victims of the storm; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Ida came ashore in south Louisiana August 29, 2021, as a
Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph and heavy rainfall, causing devastating
flooding and damage; and
WHEREAS, approximately nine thousand Louisiana National Guard members were
deployed, conducting search and rescue sweeps across thirty-one parishes and rescuing three
hundred ninety-seven people and sixty-five pets; and
WHEREAS, Guardsmen cleared over four hundred miles of roads that were clogged
with debris; and
WHEREAS, after Hurricane Ida, Guardsmen distributed almost seven million MREs,
eight million liters of water, and over one million bags of ice, three hundred thousand tarps,
and four hundred generators; and
WHEREAS, over one thousand Guardsmen helped clear roads and handled logistical
support in response to the winter storm in 2021; and
WHEREAS, using engineering teams, the Louisiana National Guard assessed two
hundred twenty-three miles of road while clearing one hundred forty-seven miles of snow
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and debris from roads; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard also provided seven wreckers to help
Louisiana State Police and state transportation officials clear Interstate 20, moving two
hundred sixty disabled commercial vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Guardsmen distributed over three million liters of water and two million
gallons of bulk water to people in parishes affected by the storm and provided fourteen
generators to assist with water systems; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard responded to flooding throughout the
state following multiple days of steady rain beginning in May of 2021; and
WHEREAS, at the height of the response, three hundred ninety-three Guardsmen
were activated to support various missions, including search and rescue, engineering, and
aerial reconnaissance; and
WHEREAS, using as many as seventy-nine high-water vehicles and nineteen boats,
Guardsmen rescued twenty-five people and two pets in Lake Charles; and
WHEREAS, engineering teams worked with local and state officials to determine the
specific needs of communities to combat rising flood waters and installed Tiger Dams to
mitigate flooding; and
WHEREAS, during the last two years, the Louisiana National Guard has confronted
a demanding series of natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, Guardsmen have also deployed to other states and overseas in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the tireless professionalism of our soldiers and airmen in supporting the
state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastation of hurricanes Laura and Ida, and
multiple storms in 2021 merits a special measure of commendation for the men and women
of the Louisiana National Guard; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana National Guard continues to live up to its promise of
"Always Ready, Always There".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the Louisiana National Guard on its exemplary service to the state of
Louisiana during the last two years of unprecedented natural disasters.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Major General Keith Waddell of the Louisiana National Guard.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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