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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 29
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Judge Joseph R. Bossetta of
New Orleans, former state representative
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the House of Representatives of the2
Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Judge Joseph R. Bossetta of New Orleans,3
former state representative.4
WHEREAS, it is with profound regret and sorrow that the members of the House of5
Representatives of the Louisiana Legislature have learned of the death of Judge Joseph R.6
Bossetta on September 15, 2011, at the age of eighty-four; and7
WHEREAS, Judge Joseph R. Bossetta was born in New Orleans on August 12, 1927,8
and graduated from Holy Cross High School at the age of fourteen; and9
WHEREAS, with World War II under way, Judge Bossetta, being the patriot that he10
was, enlisted in the Marine Corps at age fifteen; as a forward observer assigned to the Fourth11
Marine Division in the Pacific, Judge Bossetta directed artillery fire on Japanese forces, a12
task that required him to go beyond the safety of United States lines to obtain better13
coordinates for enemy positions; and 14
WHEREAS, during World War II, Judge Bossetta fought in such major battles as15
Roi-Namur, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, and as a member of Task16
Force Thirty-One, he participated in the initial United States occupation of Japan and the17
capture of the battleship, Nagato, which symbolized the surrender of the Japanese navy; and18
WHEREAS, after the war, Judge Bossetta attended Loyola University and was19
admitted to the bar in 1950 after apprenticing with his father, Gaspar Bossetta; and 20 HLS 12RS-2301 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Judge Bossetta maintained a private law practice for more than fifty1
years; and 2
WHEREAS, Judge Bossetta was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives3
in 1956, where he helped draft and steer legislation that created the South's first racially4
desegregated public university and New Orleans' first public university, Louisiana State5
University in New Orleans, now the University of New Orleans, and Southern University6
at New Orleans; and 7
WHEREAS, Judge Bossetta resigned from the legislature to serve his beloved city8
as First Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans under Richard Dowling; he later served9
as acting District Attorney; and 10
WHEREAS, in 1963, Governor Jimmie Davis rewarded Judge Bossetta's talent and11
dedication by appointing him to a vacant seat at New Orleans' Municipal Court, where he12
served until retiring in 1986; he also was appointed to sit as a temporary judge at New13
Orleans' Criminal District Court; and 14
WHEREAS, during his time on the bench, Judge Bossetta helped to modernize15
criminal justice in the city of New Orleans by instituting rehabilitation programs for16
offenders addicted to alcohol and drugs and starting a clinic for battered women; and 17
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Judge Bossetta served the New Orleans Police18
Department by donating free legislative and legal counsel to, and serving as a spokesman19
for, the Fraternal Order of Police; and 20
WHEREAS, Judge Bossetta also served as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps21
Reserve from 1976 to 1982, retiring with the rank of major, in addition to representing the22
Louisiana Bar Pilots Association; and 23
WHEREAS, Judge Bossetta is survived by his wife, Mildred Duffy Bossetta; three24
sons, Michael J., Patrick R., and Brian J. Bossetta; four daughters, Barbara L. Bossetta, Mary25
Ann Bossetta, Bonnie Bossetta Lavie, and Kathleen Bossetta Levine; nineteen26
grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and27
WHEREAS, with the death of Judge Bossetta, Louisiana has lost one of her finest28
sons, a man whose legacy shall live forever in the tremendous impact of his legal decisions29 HLS 12RS-2301 ORIGINAL
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and in the hearts and minds of the many citizens whose lives he touched with his remarkable1
intellect, public service, and integrity. 2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the3
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express its sincere sorrow and heartfelt condolences4
upon the death of Judge Joseph R. Bossetta of New Orleans, former state representative, and5
does hereby express enduring appreciation for the pride and honor he will forever bring to6
the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and the United States of America.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted8
to the family of Judge Joseph R. Bossetta of New Orleans.9
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leger HR No. 29
Expresses condolences upon the death of Judge Joseph R. Bossetta of New Orleans, former
state representative.