HLS 24RS-1245 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 33
BY REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY
COMMENDATIONS: Commends WDSU-TV Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr on the
occasion of her retirement
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend WDSU-TV Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr on the occasion of her
3 retirement.
4 WHEREAS, Margaret Orr graduated from Louise S. McGehee School in New
5Orleans, Louisiana, in 1971; she attended Louisiana State University, where she graduated
6with a degree in English; despite majoring in English, she added courses on broadcast
7journalism and meteorology, and she spent a summer working at TV and radio stations in
8Waco, Texas; and
9 WHEREAS, after earning a degree, Margaret moved to Charleston, South Carolina,
10where she found work as a radio station general manager's secretary; she later accepted a
11full-time job as a receptionist at a Charleston TV station on the condition that she be allowed
12to serve as a news intern in the evenings; and
13 WHEREAS, after three years in South Carolina, Margaret returned to Louisiana to
14work as a general assignment reporter and weather fill-in at WBRZ in Baton Rouge; eleven
15months later, in 1979, she accepted an offer from WDSU to work in the same role; she also
16co-hosted WDSU's morning show, "The Breakfast Edition", and "The World's Fair Show"
17which broadcast daily from the grounds of the World's Fair; and
18 WHEREAS, Margaret reported weather for WDSU's noon and five o'clock
19newscasts; she began working seven days a week while raising two daughters and one son
20with her husband Bill; despite the challenges, she emerged as one of the most recognizable
21broadcast journalists in southeast Louisiana; more impressively, she also completed remote
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HR NO. 33
1college courses at Mississippi State University to earn her meteorology certification, and in
22008, WDSU promoted her to chief meteorologist; she has since covered thirty-one
3hurricanes that impacted south Louisiana, including Katrina and Ida; and
4 WHEREAS, Mrs. Orr is also an incredibly civic-minded individual whose
5involvement in the community cannot be overstated; in 2020, a Krewe of Muses Mardi Gras
6float saluted "Margaret Orracle of Da Sky", and during the 2024 Muses parade, she rode
7aboard the krewe's signature red shoe float as the honorary Muse; she is a prominent
8example of a local icon who is genuinely grounded in a community that adores her; and
9 WHEREAS, Mrs. Orr plans to retire at the end of March following more than four
10decades at WDSU-TV; she has served the people of south Louisiana with an inspiring degree
11of passion and skill, and she is most deserving of the highest recognition.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
13Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend WDSU-TV Chief Meteorologist Margaret
14Orr on the occasion of her retirement; does hereby further recognize her impact on the
15communities of south Louisiana as a dedicated and skilled meteorologist; and does hereby
16extend sincerest wishes that she continue to prosper in all of her endeavors as she begins the
17next phase of her life in retirement.
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 33 Original 2024 Regular Session Hilferty
Commends WDSU-TV Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr on the occasion of her retirement.
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