ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 33
BY REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY
A RESOLUTION
To commend WDSU-TV Chief Meteorologist Margaret Orr on the occasion of her
retirement.
WHEREAS, Margaret Orr graduated from Louise S. McGehee School in New
Orleans, Louisiana, in 1971; she attended Louisiana State University, where she graduated
with a degree in English; despite majoring in English, she added courses on broadcast
journalism and meteorology, and she spent a summer working at TV and radio stations in
Waco, Texas; and
WHEREAS, after earning a degree, Margaret moved to Charleston, South Carolina,
where she found work as a radio station general manager's secretary; she later accepted a
full-time job as a receptionist at a Charleston TV station on the condition that she be allowed
to serve as a news intern in the evenings; and
WHEREAS, after three years in South Carolina, Margaret returned to Louisiana to
work as a general assignment reporter and weather fill-in at WBRZ in Baton Rouge; eleven
months later, in 1979, she accepted an offer from WDSU to work in the same role; she also
co-hosted WDSU's morning show, "The Breakfast Edition", and "The World's Fair Show"
which broadcast daily from the grounds of the World's Fair; and
WHEREAS, Margaret reported weather for WDSU's noon and five o'clock
newscasts; she began working seven days a week while raising two daughters and one son
with her husband Bill; despite the challenges, she emerged as one of the most recognizable
broadcast journalists in southeast Louisiana; more impressively, she also completed remote
college courses at Mississippi State University to earn her meteorology certification, and in
2008, WDSU promoted her to chief meteorologist; she has since covered thirty-one
hurricanes that impacted south Louisiana, including Katrina and Ida; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Orr is also an incredibly civic-minded individual whose
involvement in the community cannot be overstated; in 2020, a Krewe of Muses Mardi Gras
float saluted "Margaret Orracle of Da Sky", and during the 2024 Muses parade, she rode
aboard the krewe's signature red shoe float as the honorary Muse; she is a prominent
example of a local icon who is genuinely grounded in a community that adores her; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Orr plans to retire at the end of March following more than four
decades at WDSU-TV; she has served the people of south Louisiana with an inspiring degree
of passion and skill, and she is most deserving of the highest recognition.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend WDSU-TV Chief Meteorologist Margaret
Orr on the occasion of her retirement; does hereby further recognize her impact on the
communities of south Louisiana as a dedicated and skilled meteorologist; and does hereby
extend sincerest wishes that she continue to prosper in all of her endeavors as she begins the
next phase of her life in retirement.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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