[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 20 (Thursday, February 5, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                RECOGNIZING LORETTA'S AUTHENTIC PRALINES

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, small businesses across the country 
have the unique opportunity to put their special stamp on the 
traditions that mark their communities. In honor of Black History 
Month, I would like to recognize Loretta Harrison, owner and operator 
of a successful New Orleans-based praline company. Through the 
hardships of starting a business to persevering and even expanding 
through one of the most tragic natural disasters to hit the United 
States, this small business has gone above and beyond the past 35 years 
to carry the tradition of this special treat to the people of New 
Orleans. It is my pleasure to recognize Loretta's Authentic Pralines as 
this week's Small Business of the Week.
  Before she felt the calling to bring her family's special praline 
recipe to her community, Loretta--who serves as president and CEO--
worked as a medical librarian at Louisiana State University. Pralines 
are a common Louisiana dessert, with roots that go all the way back to 
the original French settlers. They are made of ingredients that are 
plentiful to the region, which include an intricate mix of sugar, 
butter, cream, and pecans. Through Loretta's hard work and 
determination, what started as a praline stand at the New Orleans Jazz 
and Heritage Festival has now grown into a storefront in both the 
Marigny and the French Market. Not only does Loretta's Pralines serve a 
wide variety of signature pralines, but it has expanded the menu to 
include other delicious desserts, such as king cakes, coconut 
macaroons, fudge, and oatmeal raisin cookies. The store in the Marigny 
also doubles as a cafe for breakfast and lunch, serving sweet and 
savory favorites like sweet potato pancakes and shrimp and grits.
  Apart from the legacy of being some of the best pralines in New 
Orleans, which is no easy feat, Loretta's Pralines is known for its 
strength and support during the rebuilding of the city after Hurricane 
Katrina. With the blessing of minimal damage to her store, Loretta 
recognized that there was an important void in her community that she 
immediately stepped in to fill. By temporarily changing the business 
model from a sweet shop to a restaurant, Loretta was able to feed the 
volunteers, workers, and reporters who were helping to rebuild the city 
she knew and loved. Loretta's Pralines also became a sort of haven for 
those whose lives had changed dramatically, a familiar meeting place as 
part of a larger community during the recovery. This act of benevolence 
in the midst of the hardship cemented Loretta's Pralines as a New 
Orleans institution.
  Small business owners like Loretta Harrison are what make our State 
truly unique--indeed, we would not be the same without their examples 
of courage and kindness. I am honored to recognize a small business 
that has shown compassion during the devastating times, as well as 
ingenuity and success in expanding their business across the city. 
Congratulations again to Loretta's Authentic Pralines. I wish you all 
the best and more in the future.

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