HLS 10RS-3720 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 59
BY REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL JACKSON
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Kirt Bennett of Baton Rouge
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the House of Representatives upon the2
death of Kirt Bennett of Baton Rouge.3
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the4
House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of Kirt Bennett5
of Baton Rouge on Monday, May 3, 2010, at the age of forty-two; and 6
WHEREAS, raised in New Orleans, Mr. Bennett resided in Baton Rouge, attended7
LSU on athletic scholarship, lettered for the Tigers in various track and field events, and8
became the first black LSU Student Government Association president in 1990; and9
WHEREAS, in 1991, Mr. Bennett graduated from LSU with a political science10
degree, and he later earned a master of public administration degree from Southern11
University; and12
WHEREAS, in 1993, Mr. Bennett was hired as the first executive director of the13
Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge, a leadership and education program that exists14
to nurture the development of leadership abilities of young African American males,15
empowering them to improve the quality of their lives and assisting them in becoming16
productive citizens; and17
WHEREAS, the Young Leaders Academy, along with Mr. Bennett, made two18
appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and won the Use Your Life award in 2001, three19
United States Presidential Service awards, the National Points of Light award in 2001, and20
a Federal Bureau of Investigation Community Service award in 2006; and21 HLS 10RS-3720 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 59
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WHEREAS, in 1994, Mr. Bennett was a Baton Rouge Business Report "Forty Under1
40" winner; and2
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett ran for political office twice during his life, once as a3
Democrat for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1993 and as a Republican4
for the lieutenant governor position in 2003; and5
WHEREAS, at the time of his death, Mr. Bennett was working for Northwestern6
Mutual as a financial representative; and 7
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett was a member of the National Association of Insurance and8
Financial Advisors, and he received the National Sales Achievement Award in 2006; and9
WHEREAS, in 2008, Mr. Bennett was appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal to serve10
as secretary on the Port of Greater Baton Rouge's board of commissioners; and11
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett was an active and devoted member of Wesley United12
Baptist Church, and he was formerly a youth minister; and13
WHEREAS, in his leisure time, Mr. Bennett was interested in genealogy and14
photography, and he loved to travel, spend time with his family, and experience new15
cultures; and16
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett is survived by his loving wife of almost twelve years,17
Denise, and his three children, John, Benjamin, and Christiana; and18
WHEREAS, with the death of Mr. Bennett, Louisiana has lost one of her finest19
citizens; and 20
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett holds a special place in the history of his community,21
particularly for the generous and admirable way in which he devoted his energy and talents22
to the development of young people into informed, capable, and productive citizens of their23
communities and the world; and24
WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett, who was admired by the countless citizens whose lives he25
touched, leaves behind a rich and unique legacy and is greatly missed; and26
WHEREAS, although the death of Kirt Bennett has left a tremendous void in his27
community, his memory shall live on forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew and28
loved him.29 HLS 10RS-3720 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 59
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the1
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the2
death of Kirt Bennett of Baton Rouge, does hereby recognize and record for posterity his3
outstanding accomplishments and singular contributions to his community, and does hereby4
extend enduring appreciation for the pride and honor that this wonderful man will forever5
bring to his family, friends, and community, the city of Baton Rouge, and the state of6
Louisiana.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted8
to the family of Kirt Bennett. 9
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)]
Michael Jackson HR No. 59
Expresses condolences upon the death of Kirt Bennett of Baton Rouge.