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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1
BY REPRESENTATIVE LORUSSO
A RESOLUTION
To commend James Edward "Jimmy" Fitzmorris, Jr., for a lifetime of remarkable
achievements on the memorable occasion of his ninetieth birthday.
WHEREAS, it was a day of great celebration on November 15, 1921, when James
Edward "Jimmy" Fitzmorris, Jr., took his first breath as the son of James and Romolia
Fitzmorris; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fitzmorris and his late wife of fifty years, Gloria, shared a host of
accomplishments, but none produced a greater sense of pride than their daughter and
son-in-law, Lisa and Bruce, and their granddaughters, Madeline Gloria and Meredith Rose;
and
WHEREAS, a 1939 graduate of Jesuit High School, Mr. Fitzmorris studied business
administration at Loyola University before serving his country with valor and fortitude in
the United States Army from 1942 until 1946, rising from private to major; he served in the
Army Ready Reserves for nearly twenty years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fitzmorris enjoyed a successful thirty-two-year career with the
Kansas City Southern Railway Company, rising from his position as messenger boy to vice
president of the company; he retired in 1972 and remains one of the company's most valued
advisors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fitzmorris is held in the highest esteem as a gentleman who has
fully used every opportunity to serve his fellow citizens in an honorable and dedicated
manner as a two-term lieutenant governor, twelve-year member of the New Orleans City
Council, one of the pioneers of the development of the Louisiana Superdome, and longtime
board member at Mount Carmel Academy, to name just a few of the many hats he has worn
in his long and extremely productive life and career; and
WHEREAS, upon his retirement after thirty years of public service, he formed
Fitzmorris and Associates, Inc., where he still puts in a full day of work as president and
chief executive officer; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 1
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WHEREAS, Mr. Fitzmorris, who has lent his time and talents to countless
community and civic organizations and been the deserving recipient of numerous honors and
awards, holds a special place in the annals of Louisiana history as one of the truest statesmen
ever to serve this great state; and
WHEREAS, seldom has there been a citizen of this state who has earned the
reputation for integrity that is enjoyed by Jimmy Fitzmorris, who is known as a man of his
word and a man who has accomplished much by the sheer force of his own personal
intelligence, strength, and credibility; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana will long reap the benefits of his profoundly
significant legacy, and his fellow citizens recognize this proud member of the Greatest
Generation as a living legend; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Fitzmorris, a most distinguished and beloved son of Louisiana,
merits a sincere measure of commendation for his singular contributions and his exemplary
accomplishments as he is lauded and recognized on the historic celebration of the nine
extraordinary decades during which he has graced the city of New Orleans, the state of
Louisiana, and the United States of America with his presence.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend James Edward "Jimmy" Fitzmorris, Jr.,
upon the celebration of his ninetieth birthday, does hereby recognize that he exemplifies all
that is good about Louisiana, does hereby record the extraordinary life he has lived in the
ninety years since that fateful fifteenth day of November in the year nineteen hundred
twenty-one, does hereby extend enduring gratitude for the unparalleled contributions he has
made to his family, friends, city, state, and nation, and does hereby extend to him best
wishes for continued success and happiness in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Jimmy Fitzmorris.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES