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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 126
BY SENATORS LONG AND GALLOT AND REPRESENTATIVES BROWN, COX
AND HOWARD
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Joe Sampite', former mayor
of Natchitoches.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Joe2
Sampite', former mayor of Natchitoches, to commend a life well spent in service to3
his community, and to note the proud legacy he leaves to the city of Natchitoches4
and the state of Louisiana.5
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of6
the death of Joe Sampite', on Friday, May 18, 2012, at the age of eighty-one; and 7
WHEREAS, Joseph Michael Sampite' was born in New Orleans in 1931, reared in8
Cloutierville in Natchitoches Parish, received a business education degree from9
Northwestern State University in 1959, and served in the National Guard and United States10
Air Force in the Korean Conflict, before beginning a career in teaching and coaching; and11
WHEREAS, he was a successful basketball and baseball coach at St. Mary's High12
School in Natchitoches and Jesuit High School in Shreveport and was recognized13
as a statewide leader in the promotion of education and recreation; and14
WHEREAS, after retiring from his education career, Joe Sampite' ran for and was15
elected as mayor of Natchitoches and became one of the most effective and dynamic mayors16
in Louisiana history who was instrumental in bringing the filming of the movie "Steel17
Magnolias" to Natchitoches and was at the forefront of downtown revitalization and the18 SCR NO. 126
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development of a vibrant tourism industry in that city; and1
WHEREAS, Natchitoches was recognized in national publications during Joe2
Sampite's tenure as mayor as a leading site for tourism in Louisiana and the South and as one3
of the nation's most attractive communities for retirees; and 4
WHEREAS, as mayor, he expanded the city's recreation program and police and fire5
departments and spearheaded major improvements in infrastructure and the community's6
airport and he also guided the annexation and development of a corridor from the city to7
Interstate 49 that increased the size of the city by forty percent; and 8
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' served as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association9
and was the first recipient of the statewide organization's President's Award and while10
serving as mayor, Sampite' was selected by The Shreveport Times as one of the Top 10011
Influential People in Northwest Louisiana; and12
WHEREAS, he served five terms as mayor of Natchitoches from 1980 until his13
retirement in 2000 and was known for wearing white socks, a carryover from his coaching14
career, and for the "I Love Natchitoches" stickers that he distributed by the thousands over15
the years; and16
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' was a tireless advocate for Natchitoches and Northwestern17
State University; and18
WHEREAS, he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield19
in 2002, after being inducted in 2000 into the Northwestern State University Hall of20
Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the university's highest honor for alumni; and21
WHEREAS, during his political career, Joe Sampite' was profiled in the prestigious22
magazine, "The Oxford American", in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe"; and23
WHEREAS, he received numerous other honors, including Man of the Year Awards24
from the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce and Natchitoches Jaycees and, in 1984,25
the "Louisiana Parks and Recreation Distinguished Service Award" and was a life member26
of the Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Founders of27
Natchitoches; and28
WHEREAS, was a longtime volunteer for the disability community including29
helping to establish the Natchitoches Association of Retarded Citizens and being named30 SCR NO. 126
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"Professional of the Year" by the Louisiana Association for Disabled Children; and1
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' was an active member of Minor Basilica of the2
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church as well as many local groups during his retirement3
such as the Agitators, The Gerousia and the Coach Ledet Coffee Club; and4
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Alphonse J. Sampite', and5
Bathilda Guillot Sampite'; his wife, Hazel Barnes Sampite'; daughter, Sharon Elizabeth6
Sampite'; along with many of his siblings: Albert Sampite', Eleanor Sampite' Dimmick,7
Leona Sampite' Hernandez, Grundy Sampite', Kelly Sampite' Poche, Cecilia Sampite'8
Morford, Michael Sampite' and Mary Sampite' Lacour; and9
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' is survived by his son, Chris Sampite' and wife, Daphne10
Gray Sampite', and their sons Michael and Ryan Sampite'; daughter, Sheila Sampite' Hardin11
and husband, Lt. Col. Alan Hardin, and their sons Daniel and Andrew Hardin; daughter,12
Michaela Marie Sampite'; and his grandchildren, John and Allison Van Hoof along with13
siblings: sisters, Sally Logan and Marielise Sampite' Brosset, brother, A.J. Sampite' Jr.; and14
close friend and companion Sue Vercher; and15
WHEREAS, with the passing of Joe Sampite', Natchitoches lost an icon and the state16
has lost one of her finest sons; a man who touched so many lives through his years of17
coaching and as mayor; a leader, a gentleman, and a visionary; and a man whose legacy will18
live on forever in Natchitoches and whose memory will remain eternal in the hearts and19
minds of his family, friends, and all of those who knew and loved him; and20
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,21
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure on people like Joe22
Sampite', who unselfishly dedicated his life for the betterment of others.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby24
express sincere condolences to the family of Joe Sampite', former mayor of Natchitoches,25
on the occasion of his death, commend a life well spent in service to his community, and26
note the proud legacy Joe Sampite' leaves to the city of Natchitoches and the state of27
Louisiana.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the29
family of Joe Sampite'.30 SCR NO. 126
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Long SCR No. 126
Expresses condolences upon the death of Joe Sampite', former mayor of Natchitoches.