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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
BY SENATORS MURRAY, ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
BROWN, BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAITOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY,
MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH, NEVERS, PEACOCK, PERRY,
PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER,
THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of the Rev. Matthew O'Rourke.
WHEREAS, it is with great regret and sorrow that the members of the Senate of the
Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the death of the Rev. Matthew O'Rourke; and
WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke, as he was compassionately known, entered the
Josephite Fathers in 1944, was ordained in 1947, was elected acting superior of the
Josephites in 1971, and was reelected in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke was the founding principal and president of St.
Augustine High School in New Orleans, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he was dedicated to the mission of St. Augustine High School; and
WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke became the head of the Seventh Ward High School for
African American youths through his role as a Josephite priest; and
WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke helped make the school into a premier college-
preparatory school for young black men at a time when segregation laws were still in effect;
and
WHEREAS, many of its alumni went on to Ivy League universities and became
elected officials and other leaders in society, such as presidents of universities, actors,
businessmen, and journalists; and
WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke received his bachelor's degree from Manhattan College
in New York and his master's degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana;
and SR NO. 14 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke left St. Augustine High School in 1960 to take on other
positions within the Josephite Order; and
WHEREAS, Father O'Rourke was elected to the General Council of the Josephites
in 1960 and became vicar general in 1966; he also served as the society's director of
education during this time; and
WHEREAS, he spent two years as rector at St. Joseph's Seminary in Washington,
D.C., and then at St. Joseph's Manor in Baltimore; and
WHEREAS, because of his numerous accomplishments in public and private life,
Father O'Rourke will be forever remembered by the people of Louisiana for his integrity,
dignity, courage, and the joy he left in the hearts of all who knew him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
respectfully acknowledges with gratitude the outstanding service and many accomplishments
of the Rev. Matthew O'Rourke and extends sincere sorrow and heartfelt condolences on the
occasion of his death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of the Rev. Matthew O'Rourke and to St. Augustine High School.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE