SLS 11RS-535 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 95
BY SENATOR BROOME
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Senate President Joel T. Chaisson II on his years of
distinguished public service to the state of Louisiana.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the honorable Joel T. Chaisson II, Senate President, for two decades of2
dedicated legislative service to constituents from the parishes of St. Charles,3
Lafourche, and St. John the Baptist and the state of Louisiana.4
WHEREAS, it is with an expression of enduring gratitude that Senate President5
Joel Chaisson is commended for his stellar contributions to the people of this state, in6
particular, his tenure as a distinguished member of the Louisiana State Senate representing7
District 19 and previously, election to the Louisiana House of Representatives representing8
District 56, for a total of five consecutive terms as a legislator and to offer to him the best9
wishes of his fellow senators as he considers his future ventures; and10
WHEREAS, politics have been life, breath, and leisure for Joel Thomas Chaisson II11
and perhaps he was destined for a life of public service as the son of former state12
representative and retired district judge, Joel T. Chaisson, and his mother, Bobbie; and13
WHEREAS, born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and reared in Destrehan, Louisiana, he14
graduated from the University of New Orleans in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree15
in business administration, then went on to receive a Juris Doctorate degree from Louisiana16
State University Law Center in 1983; and17
WHEREAS, his political career began later that same year when he won his first18 SR NO. 95
SLS 11RS-535 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
election at the age of twenty-three, for an at-large seat on the St. Charles Parish Council; a1
feat that ranked him as the youngest parish-wide elected official in the state at that time; and2
WHEREAS, since 1991, with his election to the House of Representatives, he has3
represented the gracious citizens from the parishes of St. Charles, Lafourche, and St. John4
the Baptist, and since that time those constituents have benefitted from his diligent efforts5
to strike a balance between industrial development and agricultural and environmental issues6
that affect their daily lives; and7
WHEREAS, during his days in the House of Representatives, his committee8
assignments included civil law and procedure, insurance, labor and industrial relations,9
judiciary, ways and means as vice chairman, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital10
Outlay; as a senator he has served as chairman of Judiciary C, vice-chairman of11
Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, and as a member of health and welfare and12
education; and13
WHEREAS, elected to the Senate in 1999, he ascended to the position of Senate14
President in 2008, with an affirmative nod from his fellow senators based upon his15
reputation as a consensus builder with the political acumen for achieving successful16
solutions to complex, sometimes thorny, situations by implementing his well-honed skills17
of compromise and bi-partisanship; and18
WHEREAS, during his twelve years in the Senate, he has been the moving force in19
election reform, in strengthening criminal penalties, in particular, certain DWI offenses, in20
addressing liability and medical malpractice, and in setting right criminal injustice with21
compensation for those wrongfully convicted; and22
WHEREAS, while in the legislature he has also been a consistent supporter of23
teachers' pay and funding for education; and24
WHEREAS, as a strong proponent of flood control and hurricane protection, he has25
championed landmark legislation to address coastal initiatives and wetland restoration26
projects that will affect generations of Louisianians who make their livelihood along the27
coast of our state; and28
WHEREAS, Senator Chaisson has championed the economic importance of the29
fragile Louisiana coastline that is home to two million citizens, the source or transit point30 SR NO. 95
SLS 11RS-535 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
for domestic oil and gas production, a static seafood industry, and a port system with the1
potential to become the next great international marketplace; and2
WHEREAS, he has been honored with many well-deserved accolades too numerous3
to count and retains his civic and philanthropic affiliations with the Lions Clubs of America4
and the Order of Knights of Columbus; and5
WHEREAS, he is the loving husband of Sandra Stage Chaisson and the proud father6
of daughter, Martine Marie; and7
WHEREAS, Senator Joel Chaisson has earned the respect of his peers and the8
appreciation of the citizens of this state, in particular, the people of South Louisiana, who9
have been enriched immeasurably by his good works.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana11
does hereby commend Joel T. Chaisson II, Senate President, for his years of unselfish public12
service to the people of Senate District 19 and this state.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Senate does hereby express14
its enduring gratitude to Senator Joel Chaisson for his superlative service to the citizens of15
Louisiana, as evidenced by his many achievements as a member of both this distinguished16
body and the House of Representatives, and hereby extends to him the best wishes of his17
friends and colleagues for continued prosperity and success in his future endeavors.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to19
Joel T. Chaisson II, President of the Senate.20
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
Broome SR No.
Commends Senate President Joel Chaisson II for his years of dedicated legislative service
to the state of Louisiana.