HLS 25RS-1375 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 57
BY REPRESENTATIVE ZERINGUE
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Mark Shirley on the occasion of his retirement from
Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Mark Shirley on the occasion of his retirement from Louisiana Sea Grant and
3 the LSU AgCenter.
4 WHEREAS, Mark Shirley has dedicated forty-one years of exemplary service as a
5marine extension agent with Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley, a New Orleans native, earned his master's degree in
7wildlife management from Louisiana State University in 1979 and began his career with
8Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter in 1984, dedicating more than four decades to
9the advancement of Louisiana's coastal and marine communities; and
10 WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley has been instrumental in the creation and success of
11numerous educational and outreach programs, most notably Marsh Maneuvers, an immersive
12program established in 1989 that has inspired thousands of high school students to pursue
13careers in science and coastal ecology; his unwavering dedication to youth education,
14hands-on learning, and mentorship has left a lasting legacy that spans generations; and
15 WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley has made significant contributions to the growth and
16resilience of Louisiana's aquatic farming industry through his expertise in aquaculture,
17particularly in crawfish and alligator production, and through his role in identifying and
18responding to critical industry challenges; and
19 WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley has represented Louisiana with distinction, both nationally
20and internationally, promoting sustainable practices and economic development within the
21state's fisheries and wildlife industries; and
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HR NO. 57
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley has demonstrated consistent leadership and deep
2commitment to community engagement through his tireless service as secretary of the
3Louisiana Alligator Farmers and Ranchers Association for over thirty years and as a trusted
4advisor to shrimpers, farmers, homeowners, and industry leaders; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Shirley has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including the
6Meritorious Public Service Award from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Louisiana Wildlife
7Federation's Lifetime Achievement Award, and LSU's School of Renewable Natural
8Resources Alumnus of the Year, among many others; and
9 WHEREAS, Mark Shirley is an exemplar of the spirit of public service; his calm
10demeanor, deep institutional knowledge, and genuine ability to connect with people have
11made him a respected figure among peers, colleagues, and communities across Louisiana,
12and he has created a lasting impact on coastal conservation, marine industries, and
13environmental education.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
15Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Mark Shirley on the occasion of his
16retirement from Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter; does hereby express enduring
17appreciation for his dedication, service, and leadership; and does hereby extend sincerest
18wishes that he enjoy a fulfilling retirement filled with time spent with family, travel, and the
19satisfaction of a career that has enriched lives, protected resources, and built a legacy of
20stewardship and learning.
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 57 Original 2025 Regular Session Zeringue
Commends Mark Shirley on the occasion of his retirement from Louisiana Sea Grant and
the LSU AgCenter.
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