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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 94
BY SENATOR CHAISSON
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Senator William Joseph "Joe" McPherson Jr. for his
dedicated service in the Louisiana Senate.
A RESOLUTION1
To honor and commend the Dean of the Louisiana Senate, the Honorable William Joseph2
"Joe" McPherson Jr. for his dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the3
state, Senate District No. 29, and the parish of Rapides, during twenty-four years of4
dedicated service in the Louisiana Senate, and to express enduring gratitude for his5
efforts in making Louisiana a better place for the citizens of this state.6
WHEREAS, William Joseph "Joe" McPherson Jr. is a lifelong resident of Rapides7
Parish and a proud graduate of Pineville High School and Northwestern State University;8
and9
WHEREAS, early in his life, the law was of great interest to Joe and he pursued this10
interest by attending law school at Louisiana State University until he realized that he11
already knew the law better than the law knew itself; and12
WHEREAS, he proudly served his country and was honorably discharged from the13
United States Army Reserves; and14
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson is a successful businessman and nursing home15
owner; an entrepreneur whose business interests have included an automobile dealership,16
real estate, farming, and tug boat operation, to name a few; and17
WHEREAS, his personal pursuits over the years have included setting records as a18 SR NO. 94
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power boat racer and excelling in bull riding, where he no doubt developed his approach to1
life and politics; and2
WHEREAS, in 1983, Joe McPherson determined to give back to his community, ran3
for election to the Louisiana Senate from District 29 and was successful in that effort; and4
WHEREAS, recognizing Senator McPherson's dedication and efforts on their behalf,5
the citizens of District 29 again elected him to the Senate in 1987 and 1991, and again in6
1999, 2003, and 2007, giving him the distinction of being the longest serving Louisiana State7
Senator and, although he may characterize it differently, the distinction of serving under five8
different governors; and9
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the Louisiana Senate, Joe McPherson has served10
on the following standing committees: Finance; Labor and Industrial Relations; Agriculture,11
Aquaculture, and Rural Development; Local and Municipal Affairs; Natural Resources;12
Transportation, Highways and Public Works; Health and Welfare; and Judiciary C; and13
WHEREAS, he has served as chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee,14
the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations15
Committee, and the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, and16
has also served as vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; and17
WHEREAS, the citizens of State Senate District 29 and the citizens of this entire18
state have benefitted in countless ways from Senator McPherson's public service as he has19
authored legislation, most notably, to reform the way health care is provided in this state, to20
create the Alexandria Port Authority, to create the England Economic Development District,21
to designate Louisiana State University at Alexandria as a four-year degree-granting22
institution, and to advance railroad safety issues; and23
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson has been recognized as an outstanding proponent24
of the individual, particularly the Second Amendment civil right of law-abiding American25
citizens to keep and bear arms and the constitutional right of a person to protect his home26
against expropriation for commercial purposes; and27
WHEREAS, through his years as a public servant, Senator McPherson has worked28
tirelessly for the citizens of this state and has been foremost a champion of the people and29
the area of Central Louisiana and Rapides Parish in particular; and30 SR NO. 94
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WHEREAS, Senator McPherson maneuvers through the legislative process with the1
precision and skill of a master politician, and his talent and ability has garnered him a2
legendary reputation as a skilled debater and formidable adversary, armed with a lightning-3
quick wit and a mastery of the one-liner, leading one of his colleagues to describe a floor4
debate with Senator McPherson as "forty miles of bad road"; and5
WHEREAS, many have, over the years, foolishly believed they have won an6
argument with Senator McPherson, only to realize when confronted with that impish grin7
and a twinkle in the eye, that a different result awaits and they soon are faced with the reality8
of being led, almost willingly, down the path to legislative purgatory; and9
WHEREAS, with the deepest reverence for the legislative process and an unmatched10
understanding of the rules of the Senate, Senator McPherson is always quick to point out any11
lapse of legislative protocol, such as the fine line between personal privilege and what he12
affectionately refers to as "Howdy Doody" time; and13
WHEREAS, while some of his colleagues have, at times, mispronounced his last14
name with an "EAR" sound and not an "ER" sound, Senator McPherson has gently reminded15
them, "There's no fear in McPherson"; and16
WHEREAS, the senator has acknowledged that while he has passed numerous pieces17
of legislation of great importance to Central Louisiana and the entire state, he is proudest of18
the many bad bills he has lovingly killed; and19
WHEREAS, all of Senator McPherson's fellow senators will agree that Joe20
McPherson is the embodiment of the word "colleague"; his word is his bond and, most21
importantly, if he has your back you never need to look over your shoulder; and22
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson is the loving husband to the former Karen Saucier23
and the proud father of William Joseph McPherson III; and24
WHEREAS, when not spending time with his family, one can surely find Senator25
McPherson riding his tractor or at his camp enjoying the outdoors and nature; and26
WHEREAS, as the founder and leader of the Louisiana Sportsmen's Caucus, Senator27
McPherson has consistently displayed a passion for the outdoors, working tirelessly to28
protect the natural resources of the state, creating three new state wildlife management areas29
and, most importantly, preserving public control of White Lake; and has been recognized30 SR NO. 94
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for his efforts by being named 2008 State Legislator of the Year by the Safari Club1
International; by being awarded the 2005 Governor's Award for Conservation; and by being2
named Legislative Conservationist of the Year on several occasions; and3
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson has fought to preserve the right to hunt, fish and4
trap, as embedded in his personal motto – "If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't5
come back, hunt it down and shoot it."; and6
WHEREAS, his career in public life has been underscored by his uncompromising7
efforts to make this a better state by improving the welfare of its people and has tirelessly8
dedicated his many talents, his intelligence, his compassion and energy to the service of his9
family, his many friends, his community and his state.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana11
does hereby commend and congratulate the "Dean of the Louisiana Senate", the Honorable12
William Joseph "Joe" McPherson Jr. for his outstanding and lasting accomplishments as a13
member of the Louisiana Senate and the uncompromising endeavors undertaken by him on14
behalf of his constituents and the citizens of this state.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that enduring gratitude is hereby expressed for his16
service to the state, Senate District 29, and the Parish of Rapides.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that tribute is hereby paid for the steadfast and18
effective way in which Senator Joe McPherson has made a difference, his exemplary19
achievements, and for unforgettable moments as a member of this distinguished body.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that best wishes are hereby extended to Joe21
McPherson for continued prosperity and success in his future endeavors.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the23
Honorable William Joseph "Joe" McPherson, Jr.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Chaisson SR No.
Commends Senator William Joseph "Joe" McPherson, Jr. for 24 years of dedicated service
in the Louisiana Senate.