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ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 42
BY REPRESENTATIVES DEVILLIER AND FREEMAN AND SENATOR HENRY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To commend David Kerstein for being awarded the 2025 Times-Picayune Loving Cup.
WHEREAS, it is most fitting to recognize David Kerstein for his philanthropic
contributions to the city of New Orleans and to commend him for being awarded the 2025
Times-Picayune Loving Cup; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kerstein is a lawyer, oil-company executive, and philanthropist
who works to make art accessible to all citizens and to preserve the New Orleans institutions
that provide integral support for this endeavor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kerstein is a native of Eunice, Louisiana, and graduated from the
city's public schools; he moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University, where he earned
his undergraduate and law degrees; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kerstein is the head of the Helis Foundation, which is a
philanthropic force in New Orleans that awarded nearly $2.4 million in grants in 2024; in
this role, he helped WWOZ-FM find a new home, installed public sculptures along Poydras
Street, established admission-free events at museums for Louisiana residents, and created
a sculpture garden in City Park to showcase the works of Mexican-born New Orleans artist
Enrique Alférez; and
WHEREAS, this year, Mr. Kerstein and the Helis Foundation have been major
supporters of the Louisiana artists who have been selected to participate in the Venice
Biennale; the event will showcase the state's artistic talent at one of the world's foremost
cultural exhibitions; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kerstein is regarded as someone who does not seek attention for
his work in the community; in addition to his role as the head of the Helis Foundation, he
serves as a board member and major supporter of Jazz Fest; he has chaired the Business
Council of New Orleans and the River Region and sat on the Tulane University President's
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HCR NO. 42 ENROLLED
Council and the boards of the Bureau of Governmental Research, Arts Council of New
Orleans, and New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kerstein has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Geneva
Kerstein, for fifty-nine years, and they have two daughters and two grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kerstein was chosen to receive the Times-Picayune Loving Cup in
recognition of his outstanding work over decades in New Orleans; the award is presented to
men and women who work for the community without the expectation of public recognition
or material reward; and
WHEREAS, David Kerstein is dedicated to serving the people of the city of New
Orleans and the state of Louisiana, and he is most deserving of the highest recognition for
his inspiring impact on art preservation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend David Kerstein for being awarded the 2025 Times-Picayune Loving Cup and does
hereby extend enduring appreciation for his philanthropic contributions to the preservation
of art in the city of New Orleans.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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