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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 94
BY SENATORS CHAISSON, ADLEY, ALARIO, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
CHABERT, CHEEK, CLAITOR, CROWE, DONAHUE, DORSEY,
ERDEY, GAUTREAUX, GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, JACKSON,
KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARIONNEAUX, MARTI NY,
MICHOT, MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH, MOUNT, MURRAY,
NEVERS, PERRY, PETERSON, QUINN, RISER, SHAW, SMITH,
THOMPSON, WALSWORTH AND WILLARD-LEWIS
A RESOLUTION
To honor and commend the Dean of the Louisiana Senate, the Honorable William Joseph
"Joe" McPherson Jr. for his dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the
state, Senate District No. 29, and the parish of Rapides, during twenty-four years of
dedicated service in the Louisiana Senate, and to express enduring gratitude for his
efforts in making Louisiana a better place for the citizens of this state.
WHEREAS, William Joseph "Joe" McPherson Jr. is a lifelong resident of Rapides
Parish and a proud graduate of Pineville High School and Northwestern State University;
and
WHEREAS, early in his life, the law was of great interest to Joe and he pursued this
interest by attending law school at Louisiana State University until he realized that he
already knew the law better than the law knew itself; and
WHEREAS, he proudly served his country and was honorably discharged from the
United States Army Reserves; and
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson is a successful businessman and nursing home
owner; an entrepreneur whose business interests have included an automobile dealership,
real estate, farming, and tug boat operation, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, his personal pursuits over the years have included setting records as a
power boat racer and excelling in bull riding, where he no doubt developed his approach to
life and politics; and
WHEREAS, in 1983, Joe McPherson determined to give back to his community, ran SR NO. 94 ENROLLED
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for election to the Louisiana Senate from District 29 and was successful in that effort; and
WHEREAS, recognizing Senator McPherson's dedication and efforts on their behalf,
the citizens of District 29 again elected him to the Senate in 1987 and 1991, and again in
1999, 2003, and 2007, giving him the distinction of being the longest serving Louisiana State
Senator and, although he may characterize it differently, the distinction of serving under five
different governors; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the Louisiana Senate, Joe McPherson has served
on the following standing committees: Finance; Labor and Industrial Relations; Agriculture,
Aquaculture, and Rural Development; Local and Municipal Affairs; Natural Resources;
Transportation, Highways and Public Works; Health and Welfare; and Judiciary C; and
WHEREAS, he has served as chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee,
the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations
Committee, and the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, and
has also served as vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of State Senate District 29 and the citizens of this entire
state have benefitted in countless ways from Senator McPherson's public service as he has
authored legislation, most notably, to reform the way health care is provided in this state, to
create the Alexandria Port Authority, to create the England Economic Development District,
to designate Louisiana State University at Alexandria as a four-year degree-granting
institution, and to advance railroad safety issues; and
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson has been recognized as an outstanding proponent
of the individual, particularly the Second Amendment civil right of law-abiding American
citizens to keep and bear arms and the constitutional right of a person to protect his home
against expropriation for commercial purposes; and
WHEREAS, through his years as a public servant, Senator McPherson has worked
tirelessly for the citizens of this state and has been foremost a champion of the people and
the area of Central Louisiana and Rapides Parish in particular; and
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson maneuvers through the legislative process with the
precision and skill of a master politician, and his talent and ability has garnered him a
legendary reputation as a skilled debater and formidable adversary, armed with a lightning- SR NO. 94 ENROLLED
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quick wit and a mastery of the one-liner, leading one of his colleagues to describe a floor
debate with Senator McPherson as "forty miles of bad road"; and
WHEREAS, many have, over the years, foolishly believed they have won an
argument with Senator McPherson, only to realize when confronted with that impish grin
and a twinkle in the eye, that a different result awaits and they soon are faced with the reality
of being led, almost willingly, down the path to legislative purgatory; and
WHEREAS, with the deepest reverence for the legislative process and an unmatched
understanding of the rules of the Senate, Senator McPherson is always quick to point out any
lapse of legislative protocol, such as the fine line between personal privilege and what he
affectionately refers to as "Howdy Doody" time; and
WHEREAS, while some of his colleagues have, at times, mispronounced his last
name with an "EAR" sound and not an "ER" sound, Senator McPherson has gently reminded
them, "There's no fear in McPherson"; and
WHEREAS, the senator has acknowledged that while he has passed numerous pieces
of legislation of great importance to Central Louisiana and the entire state, he is proudest of
the many bad bills he has lovingly killed; and
WHEREAS, all of Senator McPherson's fellow senators will agree that Joe
McPherson is the embodiment of the word "colleague"; his word is his bond and, most
importantly, if he has your back you never need to look over your shoulder; and
WHEREAS, Senator McPherson is the loving husband to the former Karen Saucier
and the proud father of William Joseph McPherson III; and
WHEREAS, when not spending time with his family, one can surely find Senator
McPherson riding his tractor or at his camp enjoying the outdoors and nature; and
WHEREAS, as the founder and leader of the Louisiana Sportsmen's Caucus, Senator
McPherson has consistently displayed a passion for the outdoors, working tirelessly to
protect the natural resources of the state, creating three new state wildlife management areas
and, most importantly, preserving public control of White Lake; and has been recognized
for his efforts by being named 2008 State Legislator of the Year by the Safari Club
International; by being awarded the 2005 Governor's Award for Conservation; and by being
named Legislative Conservationist of the Year on several occasions; and SR NO. 94 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Senator McPherson has fought to preserve the right to hunt, fish and
trap, as embedded in his personal motto – "If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't
come back, hunt it down and shoot it."; and
WHEREAS, his career in public life has been underscored by his uncompromising
efforts to make this a better state by improving the welfare of its people and has tirelessly
dedicated his many talents, his intelligence, his compassion and energy to the service of his
family, his many friends, his community and his state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate the "Dean of the Louisiana Senate", the Honorable
William Joseph "Joe" McPherson Jr. for his outstanding and lasting accomplishments as a
member of the Louisiana Senate and the uncompromising endeavors undertaken by him on
behalf of his constituents and the citizens of this state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that enduring gratitude is hereby expressed for his
service to the state, Senate District 29, and the Parish of Rapides.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that tribute is hereby paid for the steadfast and
effective way in which Senator Joe McPherson has made a difference, his exemplary
achievements, and for unforgettable moments as a member of this distinguished body.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that best wishes are hereby extended to Joe
McPherson for continued prosperity and success in his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable William Joseph "Joe" McPherson Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE