SLS 12RS-1002 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 51
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of former member of the
Louisiana House of Representatives, Donald Ray Kennard.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
passing of a beloved statesman, The Honorable Donald Ray Kennard, former3
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.4
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana5
have learned of the death of former legislator and Louisiana State University assistant6
athletic director, Donald Ray Kennard, on August 5, 2011; and7
WHEREAS, Donald Ray Kennard blessed with a quick smile and a firm handshake;8
he was a gentleman brimming with self-confidence, charisma, a keen sense of humor, and9
a profound understanding of the complexities of law and the legislative process; who,10
through diligence and tenacity, led a fascinating life experiencing success in nearly every11
arena of endeavor; and12
WHEREAS, representing the Central area of East Baton Rouge Parish, House of13
Representatives District Sixty-five, Donald Ray Kennard embodied the best qualities of14
public service; he held a genuine interest in the needs of his constituency and felt a personal15
responsibility to represent all with honesty and integrity; and16
WHEREAS, he was born on August 11, 1936, to parents, Sterling and Camille17
Carpenter Kennard; and18 SCR NO. 51
SLS 12RS-1002 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, he graduated from Central High School with a cache of thirteen athletic1
letters to his credit in football, basketball, baseball, and track; and2
WHEREAS, Donald Ray Kennard attained a Bachelor of Science degree in3
Education from what is now known as Southeastern Louisiana University and later coached4
at Istrouma Senior High School; and5
WHEREAS, while he acquired a Masters Degree in Education from LSU, he also6
coached the freshman basketball team; and 7
WHEREAS, he honorably served his country in the United States Air Force Reserves8
for ten years; and9
WHEREAS, Donald Ray Kennard had a lengthy career with the LSU Athletic10
Department as a member of the LSU Sports Broadcasting Team for forty years, as an11
academic advisor for twenty-two years, and as an assistant director of sales and marketing12
for many years; and he gladly upheld the glorious traditions of the Purple and Gold; and13
WHEREAS, he was articulate and knowledgeable in the policies affecting the14
Central community; in 1975, he won election to the seat in the House of Representatives,15
District Sixty-five, and served his constituents for eight consecutive terms, until term limited16
in 2008, after thirty-two years of faithful service; and17
WHEREAS, Donald Ray Kennard performed his legislative duties with noteworthy18
aplomb and had served as a member of standing committees that included Commerce,19
Judiciary, Administration of Criminal Justice (vice chairman), Agriculture, Forestry,20
Aquaculture and Rural Development, and Transportation, Highways and Public Works; and21
WHEREAS, he served as chairman of the House Committee on Enrollment and as22
a member of the House Committee on Louisiana Homeland Security; he also served on the23
joint legislative committees on capital outlay and the budget; and24
WHEREAS, through his extraordinary talents of diplomacy and compromise, he25
brought to fruition important legislation that included economic development, anti-gambling26
efforts, criminal justice issues, and allowing concealed weapon permits for coroners; and27
WHEREAS, he worked tirelessly on the behalf of the rights of victims and their28
families for counseling and restitution; and 29
WHEREAS, he had been the deserving recipient of numerous honors and awards30 SCR NO. 51
SLS 12RS-1002 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
throughout the course of his exemplary career, and his professional, civic, and business1
affiliations have included Baton Rouge "Kids" Baseball Clinic, Chamber of Commerce,2
Lions Club, the Louisiana Association of Educators, LSU Alumni Association, National3
Council of State Legislators, Phi Delta Kappa, the American Legislative Exchange Council,4
the American Professional Guidance Association, National Association of Academic5
Advisors, and Central High School Hall of Fame; and6
WHEREAS, throughout his time as a legislator, his political philosophy embraced7
compromise, the give and take processes of representative democracy; Donald Ray Kennard8
provided invaluable leadership in the House of Representatives and the legislative process9
was made better by his active participation; and10
WHEREAS, Donald Ray Kennard was a generous man blessed with an abundance11
of skills; he performed his public service proudly and willingly; he extended courtesy to all;12
and he leaves a rich and unique legacy of public service to his community, state, and nation;13
and14
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Mona Norris Kennard,15
daughters, Robin Lisa Kennard and Stacy Rae Doucet, four grandchildren, and a host of16
family members and many close friends. 17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby18
express its sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of a great statesman, former19
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Donald Ray Kennard.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the21
family of Donald Ray Kennard.22
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Thompson SCR No. 51
Expresses condolences upon the death of former house member, Donald Ray Kennard.