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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 126
BY SENATORS LONG AND GALLOT AND REPRESENTATIVES BROWN, COX
AND HOWARD
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Joe
Sampite', former mayor of Natchitoches, to commend a life well spent in service to
his community, and to note the proud legacy he leaves to the city of Natchitoches
and the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
the death of Joe Sampite', on Friday, May 18, 2012, at the age of eighty-one; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Michael Sampite' was born in New Orleans in 1931, reared in
Cloutierville in Natchitoches Parish, received a business education degree from
Northwestern State University in 1959, and served in the National Guard and United States
Air Force in the Korean Conflict, before beginning a career in teaching and coaching; and
WHEREAS, he was a successful basketball and baseball coach at St. Mary's High
School in Natchitoches and Jesuit High School in Shreveport and was recognized as a
statewide leader in the promotion of education and recreation; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from his education career, Joe Sampite' ran for and was
elected as mayor of Natchitoches and became one of the most effective and dynamic mayors
in Louisiana history who was instrumental in bringing the filming of the movie "Steel
Magnolias" to Natchitoches and was at the forefront of downtown revitalization and the
development of a vibrant tourism industry in that city; and
WHEREAS, Natchitoches was recognized in national publications during Joe
Sampite's tenure as mayor as a leading site for tourism in Louisiana and the South and as one
of the nation's most attractive communities for retirees; and
WHEREAS, as mayor, he expanded the city's recreation program and police and fire
departments and spearheaded major improvements in infrastructure and the community's SCR NO. 126 ENROLLED
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airport and he also guided the annexation and development of a corridor from the city to
Interstate 49 that increased the size of the city by forty percent; and
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' served as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association
and was the first recipient of the statewide organization's President's Award and while
serving as mayor, Sampite' was selected by The Shreveport Times as one of the Top 100
Influential People in Northwest Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he served five terms as mayor of Natchitoches from 1980 until his
retirement in 2000 and was known for wearing white socks, a carryover from his coaching
career, and for the "I Love Natchitoches" stickers that he distributed by the thousands over
the years; and
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' was a tireless advocate for Natchitoches and Northwestern
State University; and
WHEREAS, he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield
in 2002, after being inducted in 2000 into the Northwestern State University Hall of
Distinction, or Long Purple Line, the university's highest honor for alumni; and
WHEREAS, during his political career, Joe Sampite' was profiled in the prestigious
magazine, "The Oxford American", in an article entitled "No Ordinary Joe"; and
WHEREAS, he received numerous other honors, including Man of the Year Awards
from the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce and Natchitoches Jaycees and, in 1984,
the "Louisiana Parks and Recreation Distinguished Service Award" and was a life member
of the Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Founders of
Natchitoches; and
WHEREAS, he was a longtime volunteer for the disability community including
helping to establish the Natchitoches Association of Retarded Citizens and being named
"Professional of the Year" by the Louisiana Association for Disabled Children; and
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' was an active member of Minor Basilica of the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church as well as many local groups during his retirement
such as the Agitators, The Gerousia and the Coach Ledet Coffee Club; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Alphonse J. Sampite', and
Bathilda Guillot Sampite'; his wife, Hazel Barnes Sampite'; daughter, Sharon Elizabeth SCR NO. 126 ENROLLED
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Sampite'; along with many of his siblings: Albert Sampite', Eleanor Sampite' Dimmick,
Leona Sampite' Hernandez, Grundy Sampite', Kelly Sampite' Poche, Cecilia Sampite'
Morford, Michael Sampite' and Mary Sampite' Lacour; and
WHEREAS, Joe Sampite' is survived by his son, Chris Sampite' and wife, Daphne
Gray Sampite', and their sons Michael and Ryan Sampite'; daughter, Sheila Sampite' Hardin
and husband, Lt. Col. Alan Hardin, and their sons Daniel and Andrew Hardin; daughter,
Michaela Marie Sampite'; and his grandchildren, John and Allison Van Hoof along with
siblings: sisters, Sally Logan and Marielise Sampite' Brosset, brother, A.J. Sampite' Jr.; and
close friend and companion Sue Vercher; and
WHEREAS, with the passing of Joe Sampite', Natchitoches lost an icon and the state
has lost one of her finest sons; a man who touched so many lives through his years of
coaching and as mayor; a leader, a gentleman, and a visionary; and a man whose legacy will
live on forever in Natchitoches and whose memory will remain eternal in the hearts and
minds of his family, friends, and all of those who knew and loved him; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure on people like Joe
Sampite', who unselfishly dedicated his life for the betterment of others.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere condolences to the family of Joe Sampite', former mayor of Natchitoches,
on the occasion of his death, commend a life well spent in service to his community, and
note the proud legacy Joe Sampite' leaves to the city of Natchitoches and the state of
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Joe Sampite'.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES