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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 106
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Louis J. Michot Jr. of
Lafayette.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
passing of business entrepreneur, visionary, public servant, legislator, and former3
state superintendent of education, Louis Joseph Michot Jr., to commemorate a life4
well spent in service to the Lafayette community, and to note the proud legacy he5
leaves to the state of Louisiana.6
WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of7
the death of Louis J. Michot Jr. on March 6, 2012, at the age of eighty-nine; and8
WHEREAS, Louis Michot was a dynamo of free enterprise, fueled by a tenacity to9
succeed and a willingness to work hard; and10
WHEREAS, Louis Michot created a diverse palette of commercial ventures from the11
acquisition of his first drive-in movie theater at age twenty-four to home appliances, sporting12
goods, a fast food franchise, real estate development, insurance, commercial air and water13
transportation, drilling, tool manufacturing, marine fabrication, textiles, and international14
trade; and15
WHEREAS, he was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on November 5, 1922, into the16
family of Louis Joseph Michot Sr. and Adele Marie Domas Michot; and17
WHEREAS, after graduation from Cathedral High School, he attended the University18 SCR NO. 106
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of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as Southwest Louisiana Institute; his formal education1
was interrupted by enlistment and four years of military service in the United States Marine2
Corps, where he served in the Pacific Theater and distinguished himself as captain of an3
anti-aircraft gun battery aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, the most decorated ship4
in World War II; and5
WHEREAS, after being honorably discharged, Louis Michot returned home to seek6
his fortune when he was smitten by a vivacious co-ed, Patricia Ann Smith; they were7
married on September 7, 1946, and as soul mates embarked on a lifetime of adventure8
lasting more than sixty-four years, until her passing in April 2011; and9
WHEREAS, his straight-forward approach and business savvy propelled him forward10
in many successful endeavors, however, he always lived by the golden rule of civic11
responsibility and contributed his time and energy to give back to his community; and12
WHEREAS, his public service began in 1960, when he was elected to the House of13
Representatives; he then ran unsuccessfully for governor, however, in 1967, he won a seat14
on the state Board of Education; and15
WHEREAS, using an "apple" as his logo, Michot ran a hard fought race and was16
elected state superintendent of education in 1971, with the campaign promise to make the17
needs of students and teachers his first priority; and18
WHEREAS, as superintendent, he was a great proponent of career education; he19
envisioned that students matriculated in an improved vocational education curricula would20
produce a well trained workforce essential to attract economic development prospects to the21
state; and22
WHEREAS, Michot also expanded the scope of educational television with the23
further evolution of LPB, Louisiana Public Broadcasting; and24
WHEREAS, Louis Michot developed many entrepreneurial efforts and with his25
astute business acumen he helped to found Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, served as26
executive vice president and general manager of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of27
Commerce, established the Bank of Lafayette and the International Trade Development28
Group, and increased the assets of the family businesses of Louis J. Michot and Associates29
and Michot Family Partnership; and30 SCR NO. 106
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WHEREAS, many South Louisiana nonprofit agencies benefitted from his guidance1
with his membership on the board of directors of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Conrad2
Industries, and the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum; and3
WHEREAS, Louis Michot never lost his affection for aviation; as a licensed pilot,4
he accepted positions as national secretary of the Navy League of the United States, as vice5
president of the Air Transport Association of America, as president of the National6
Aerospace Education Association, and as vice president of the USS Enterprise Association;7
and8
WHEREAS, his philanthropy was boundless and he had many charitable interests9
as past president and district governor of Kiwanis International, as a fund-raiser for the10
Tarahumara Children's Hospital in northwestern Mexico, and as past president of the11
International Good Neighbor Council; and12
WHEREAS, he received many accolades during his prestigious career that include13
recognition as Lafayette's Outstanding Citizen with receipt of the Civic Cup, named an14
Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, named to the Acadiana15
Business Hall of Fame, receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Le Centre16
International De Lafayette, and Cathedral-Carmel Distinguished Graduate Citation; and17
WHEREAS, his was the life of a philanthropist, industrialist, civic leader, consultant,18
Christian family man, and mentor, whose work ethic was tempered by his keen sense of19
humor and quick smile; he was a man true to his word and a friend for life; and20
WHEREAS, Louis Michot enjoyed his leisure time by fishing, playing tennis, flying,21
and spoiling his grandchildren; he was an extraordinary man of copious achievement; and22
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and two of their ten children,23
Carolyn Rose and Yvette Marie, and survived by sons, Patrick, Thomas, David, Timothy,24
Robert, and Michael, and daughters, Marilyn Ann Breaux and Yvonne Marie Michot,25
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends; and26
WHEREAS, Louis Michot was a man of great strength and intellect, a caring27
individual who has left an indelible mark on the Lafayette community and the state of28
Louisiana, who envisioned economic potential and opportunity, and who met the challenges29
of life head-on with zeal and candor tempered with immense love of family and compassion30 SCR NO. 106
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for his fellow man.1
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby2
celebrate the extraordinary life of Louis J. Michot Jr. and commend the rich legacy that he3
leaves to the benefit of future generations.4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express5
its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this great man and especially to his son,6
our friend and former colleague, Senator Michael J. Michot.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the8
children of Louis J. Michot Jr.9
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Cortez SCR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Louis J. Michot Jr. of Lafayette.