ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 77
BY REPRESENTATIVE LARVADAIN
A RESOLUTION
To commend Patricia Cooke on being the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education
Foundation 2024 ProStart Educator of Excellence.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Education Foundation has
selected Patricia Cooke as its 2024 ProStart Educator of Excellence; and
WHEREAS, ProStart is a two-year restaurant management and culinary arts
curriculum administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in
all 50 states and Guam; ProStart is designed to attract young people to rewarding careers in
the restaurant industry; and
WHEREAS, the LRA Education Foundation administers ProStart in nearly 60 high
schools in Louisiana, with more than 2,000 juniors and seniors participating in this dynamic
course; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Cooke has inspired students in her ProStart classes for more
than twenty years at Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Cooke's influence and guidance have resulted in many of her
students starting their own food service and catering businesses and being employed in many
Baton Rouge area restaurants and hotels; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Cooke also serves as a mentor to her peer ProStart educators
across Louisiana, sharing her knowledge and expertise to improve ProStart for all Louisiana
students; and
WHEREAS, to prepare her for her ProStart educator journey, Patricia Cooke spent
a decade in the restaurant industry as a kitchen and operations manager for Ryan's
Steakhouse and Applebee's; and
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WHEREAS, Patricia Cooke attributes her restaurant experience to making the
transition from industry to the classroom more accessible, as her industry experience was
largely centered around staff training; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Cooke was recognized by the LRA Education Foundation on
March 6, 2024, at the annual "Serving the Future-Celebrating Careers in Hospitality" event
in New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Cooke will be considered for the NRA Educational
Foundation's National ProStart Educator of Excellence Award which will be presented on
April 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Patricia Cooke on being the Louisiana
Restaurant Association Education Foundation 2024 ProStart Educator of Excellence and
does hereby extend sincerest wishes that she continue to prosper in all of her endeavors.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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