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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 87
BY SENATOR PERRY
A RESOLUTION
To commend Ronald Menard on the occasion of his retirement having worked forty-two
years at Kaplan State Bank.
WHEREAS, on March 28, 1969, Ronald Menard, the son of the late Junius and
Myrtis Menard, became an employee of Kaplan State Bank in the bookkeeping department;
and
WHEREAS, during the week of May 31, 2011, Mr. Menard said goodbye to the
Kaplan State Bank family, after deciding to retire after forty-two years of dedicated service;
and
WHEREAS, during the retirement party for Mr. Menard, Kaplan State Bank chief
executive officer, Vernon Johnson, indicated his hire date predates man's first walk on the
moon and Woodstock; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson gave accolades to Mr. Menard's extreme dedication to
Kaplan State Bank where he had an unmatched willingness to help people with their
financial needs which gained him great respect; and
WHEREAS, prior to his long tenure with the bank, Mr. Menard's first job in 1965
was with Meaux Lumber Yard as a delivery man, followed by being a manager at Southern
Pacific Transport Company in Kaplan; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Menard was also a member of the National Guard Reserve for nine
years; and
WHEREAS, after beginning his job at Kaplan State Bank, he enrolled in night school
at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then the University of Southwestern Louisiana,
to further his education in banking; and
WHEREAS, in 1970, he joined and became president of the American Institute of
Banking; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, he remained abreast of all changes involving
banking rules and regulations by attending seminars and schools provided by the Louisiana
Bankers Association; and SR NO. 87 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Mr. Menard's promotions continued from bookkeeping to teller, and
from loan officer to assistant vice president; and
WHEREAS, by 1975, his title of vice president enabled him to become the manager
of the newly opened Kaplan State Bank branch in Forked Island; and
WHEREAS, in 1977, with no customers in the bank, the branch was robbed at
gunpoint; and
WHEREAS, as a gun was pointed to his head and another to his stomach, the
gunmen ordered him and another employee to open the cash drawers and lay on the floor;
and
WHEREAS, the theft ended with no one being harmed, with a minimal amount of
funds stolen; and
WHEREAS, the incident alerted bank officials that security procedures needed
upgrading, which Mr. Menard took full charge to direct; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Menard was past president and current member of the board of
directors for the Meaux-Nunez Volunteer Fire Department, and past president and member
of the Kaplan Rotary Club, and the Kaplan American Legion; and
WHEREAS, as an avid supporter of the Vermilion Parish 4-H program, he attended
the annual 4-H Livestock Shows and would purchase show animals from the students on
behalf of Kaplan State Bank; and
WHEREAS, throughout his years at the bank, Mr. Menard said the best part of his
job was to say "yes" to his customers when they applied for loans, with the hardest part of
his job saying "no" to a customer; and
WHEREAS, when not working, Mr. Menard dedicated his time to his wife, the
former Glenda Petry, for forty-three years; and
WHEREAS, when asked of his planned activities upon his retirement, Mr. Menard
responded that he would do what he wanted, when he wanted, and whatever he wanted; and
WHEREAS, as he begins the next chapter of his life, Mr. Ronald Menard will be
greatly missed by Kaplan State Bank employees and customers, many of whom have had
the opportunity to know him as a friend and mentor, and they will remember his readiness
to assist those in need, and how he always provided the banking industry with opportunities SR NO. 87 ENROLLED
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to develop and grow under his guidance and dedication.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Ronald Menard on the occasion of his retirement having worked
forty-two years at Kaplan State Bank.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Mr.
Ronald Menard.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE