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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 118
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Louis J. Michot Jr. of
Lafayette.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of2
Louisiana upon the passing of business entrepreneur, visionary, public servant,3
legislator, and former state superintendent of education, Louis Joseph Michot Jr., to4
commemorate a life well spent in service to the Lafayette community, and to note5
the proud legacy he leaves to the state of Louisiana.6
WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana7
has learned of the death of Louis J. Michot Jr. on March 6, 2012, at the age of eighty-nine;8
and9
WHEREAS, Louis Michot was a dynamo of free enterprise, fueled by a tenacity to10
succeed and a willingness to work hard; and11
WHEREAS, Louis Michot created a diverse palette of commercial ventures from the12
acquisition of his first drive-in movie theater at age twenty-four to home appliances, sporting13
goods, a fast food franchise, real estate development, insurance, commercial air and water14
transportation, drilling, tool manufacturing, marine fabrication, textiles, and international15
trade; and16
WHEREAS, he was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on November 5, 1922, into the17
family of Louis Joseph Michot Sr. and Adele Marie Domas Michot; and18 SR NO. 118
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WHEREAS, after graduation from Cathedral High School, he attended the University1
of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as Southwest Louisiana Institute; his formal education2
was interrupted by enlistment and four years of military service in the United States Marine3
Corps, where he served in the Pacific Theater and distinguished himself as captain of an4
anti-aircraft gun battery aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, the most decorated ship5
in World War II; and6
WHEREAS, after being honorably discharged, Louis Michot returned home to seek7
his fortune when he was smitten by a vivacious co-ed, Patricia Ann Smith; they were8
married on September 7, 1946, and as soul mates embarked on a lifetime of adventure9
lasting more than sixty-four years, until her passing in April 2011; and10
WHEREAS, his straight-forward approach and business savvy propelled him forward11
in many successful endeavors, however, he always lived by the golden rule of civic12
responsibility and contributed his time and energy to give back to his community; and13
WHEREAS, his public service began in 1960, when he was elected to the House of14
Representatives; he then ran unsuccessfully for governor, however, in 1967, he won a seat15
on the state Board of Education; and16
WHEREAS, using an "apple" as his logo, Michot ran a hard fought race and was17
elected state superintendent of education in 1971, with the campaign promise to make the18
needs of students and teachers his first priority; and19
WHEREAS, as superintendent, he was a great proponent of career education; he20
envisioned that students matriculated in an improved vocational education curricula would21
produce a well trained workforce essential to attract economic development prospects to the22
state; and23
WHEREAS, Michot also expanded the scope of educational television with the24
further evolution of LPB, Louisiana Public Broadcasting; and25
WHEREAS, Louis Michot developed many entrepreneurial efforts and with his26
astute business acumen he helped to found Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, served as27
executive vice president and general manager of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of28
Commerce, established the Bank of Lafayette and the International Trade Development29
Group, and increased the assets of the family businesses of Louis J. Michot and Associates30 SR NO. 118
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and Michot Family Partnership; and1
WHEREAS, many South Louisiana nonprofit agencies benefitted from his guidance2
with his membership on the board of directors of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Conrad3
Industries, and the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum; and4
WHEREAS, Louis Michot never lost his affection for aviation; as a licensed pilot,5
he accepted positions as national secretary of the Navy League of the United States, as vice6
president of the Air Transport Association of America, as president of the National7
Aerospace Education Association, and as vice president of the USS Enterprise Association;8
and9
WHEREAS, his philanthropy was boundless and he had many charitable interests10
as past president and district governor of Kiwanis International, as a fund-raiser for the11
Tarahumara Children's Hospital in northwestern Mexico, and as past president of the12
International Good Neighbor Council; and13
WHEREAS, he received many accolades during his prestigious career that include14
recognition as Lafayette's Outstanding Citizen with receipt of the Civic Cup, named an15
Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, named to the Acadiana16
Business Hall of Fame, receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Le Centre17
International De Lafayette, and Cathedral-Carmel Distinguished Graduate Citation; and18
WHEREAS, his life was of a philanthropist, industrialist, civic leader, consultant,19
Christian family man, and mentor, whose work ethic was tempered by his keen sense of20
humor and quick smile; he was a man true to his word and a friend for life; and21
WHEREAS, Louis Michot enjoyed his leisure time by fishing, playing tennis, flying,22
and spoiling his grandchildren; he was an extraordinary man of copious achievement; and23
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and two of their ten children,24
Carolyn Rose and Yvette Marie, and survived by sons, Patrick, Thomas, David, Timothy,25
Robert, and Michael, and daughters, Marilyn Ann Breaux and Yvonne Marie Michot,26
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends; and27
WHEREAS, Louis Michot was a man of great strength and intellect, a caring28
individual who has left an indelible mark on the Lafayette community and the state of29
Louisiana, who envisioned economic potential and opportunity, and who met the challenges30 SR NO. 118
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of life head-on with zeal and candor tempered with immense love of family and compassion1
for his fellow man.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana3
does hereby celebrate the extraordinary life of Louis J. Michot Jr. and commend the rich4
legacy that he leaves to the benefit of future generations.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does6
hereby express its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this great man and7
especially to his son, our friend and former colleague, Senator Michael J. Michot.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the9
children of Louis J. Michot Jr.10
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Cortez SR No. 118
Expresses condolences upon the death of Louis J. Michot Jr. of Lafayette.