2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 85
BY SENATORS DUPLESSIS, BARROW, BERNARD, BOUDREAUX, BOUIE,
CARTER, CORTEZ, FESI, FIELDS, FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY,
HENSGENS, HEWITT, JACKSON, LAMBERT, MILLIGAN, FRED
MILLS, ROBERT MILLS, PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE, TALBOT,
TARVER AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To commend Dennis "Maliq" Barnes on his record-setting college scholarship awards and
extraordinary achievements.
WHEREAS, Dennis "Maliq" Barnes, a senior at International High School of New
Orleans (IHSNO) set a national record by receiving scholarship offers from 185 colleges and
universities totaling more than ten million dollars, generating international attention; and
WHEREAS, Barnes has maintained a cumulative high school grade point average
of 4.98 at IHSNO and holds a leadership position in the National Honor Society chapter at
his school; and
WHEREAS, Barnes is fluent in Spanish and received an official qualification from
the Institute Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports, and
was recently awarded the Jose Luis Baños Award for Excellence in Spanish Language by
Maria Page, Honorary Consul of Spain in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Barnes has been dual enrolled at Southern University of New Orleans
for the past two years, earning college credits while pursuing his high school diploma; and
WHEREAS, set to graduate from IHSNO on May 24, 2023, Barnes' current plan is
to pursue a dual undergraduate degree in computer science and criminal justice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Adierah Berger, head of school at IHSNO, praised Barnes for his
dedication to academics and eagerness to help his peers; and
WHEREAS, Barnes' advice to his peers is to be vigilant and mindful that "The road
to a successful future is to plan ahead, network with the collegiate partners, and know that
if you can see your vision, you can achieve your goal"; and
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WHEREAS, Barnes announced his decision to attend Cornell University in Ithaca,
New York, in a ceremony similar to those usually held for five-star athletes; and
WHEREAS, Barnes stated, "I love my city, but I do want to get out and experience
things. See different things that I haven't seen before," as he promised to "always" come
back home; and
WHEREAS, Barnes also said he hopes to meet new people and "get an understanding
and different perspective of the world, have my eyes opened and my perceptions changed
by the people around me for the better"; and
WHEREAS, Barnes plans to enroll in Cornell's College of Engineering to pursue a
degree in computer science, hoping to have a career in software development.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Dennis "Maliq" Barnes on his extraordinary
achievements and record-setting college scholarship offers and does extend best wishes to
him in his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Dennis "Maliq" Barnes.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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