HR 388

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 388
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
  A RESOLUTION
To commend Wade Dubea on the occasion of his retirement from state service.
       WHEREAS, Wade Dubea is a resident of New Roads and is married to Marjorie
Dubea, with whom he has two daughters and two granddaughters; he and his wife are
passionate about learning and teaching about the environment and nature, and he has been
able to share this love through his storied career in forestry; and
       WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea graduated with a bachelor of science degree in forestry from
Louisiana State University; he returned to LSU to enter the College of Education's
Alternative Certification program, where he earned a Louisiana Teacher Certification in
secondary science; and
       WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea's career included work as a high school teacher and
professional forester for private timber companies; after graduating from LSU, he worked
as a forester in Texas and Louisiana, and his responsibilities included timber production,
assessment, and mapping; as an educator, he taught biology and environmental science at
a Baton Rouge high school; and
       WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea joined the staff of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture
and Forestry in 2001; he began as a forester in the Louisiana Forest Inventory Analysis
Program and was promoted to the role of director of the Education Program; as director, he
  Page 1 of 3
HR NO. 388  ENROLLED
provided Louisiana students and educators with forestry-related programs, including
Louisiana Project Learning Tree and the Louisiana Forestry Educators Tour; he was later
selected to serve as chief of the information and education branch of the office of forestry;
and
        WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea was selected as Louisiana's state forester by the Louisiana
Forestry Commission in 2008; in this role, he served as the assistant commissioner of
forestry within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was responsible
for protecting, managing, and promoting the state's forest resource; he served as a strategic
planner, wildfire leader, educator, and liaison to promote protection, sustainability, and
economic viability of the state's forest resource; and
        WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea became the longest-tenured state forester in the country in
2023 and has proudly held that distinction for the past three years; in the same year, he led
wildfire suppression efforts in one of the state's most devastating wildfire events; he
coordinated office of forestry personnel in cooperation with private, parish, state, and federal
partners alongside structural firefighters and Louisiana National Guard personnel who
worked diligently to control and suppress wildfires; and
        WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea received the Louisiana Distinguished Civilian Service
Award for his efforts in wildfire suppression; the award is presented by the Adjutant General
of the Louisiana National Guard on recommendation of an awards board to a civilian whose
service is exceptional and has made significant contributions to the state's mission; and
        WHEREAS, Mr. Dubea has since worked with employees and stakeholders to better
prepare personnel and resources for future wildfire events; in this capacity, he recommended
changes based on past experiences, training opportunities, education, and landowner
outreach; he has worked diligently to maintain and enhance the office of forestry while
operating within administrative and financial guidelines; and
        WHEREAS, Wade Dubea is a distinguished leader and technical expert within the
forestry industry, and after twenty-five years of dedicated service to the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry and to Louisiana citizens, he will retire from public
service on August 20, 2026; he is deserving of recognition for his outstanding contributions
to the state of Louisiana.
  Page 2 of 3
HR NO. 388  ENROLLED
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Wade Dubea on the occasion of his
retirement from state service; does hereby express enduring appreciation for his dedication
to Louisiana's forest resource; and does hereby extend sincere wishes that he remain
prosperous in his endeavors.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  Page 3 of 3