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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 81
BY SENATOR ALARIO
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Sheryl Lynn "Sherri" Breaux upon the occasion of her
retirement and for outstanding public service to the Senate and the state of Louisiana.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Sherri Breaux for her many years of dedicated public service to the state of2
Louisiana, in particular, the Louisiana Senate and to congratulate her on the occasion3
of her retirement.4
WHEREAS, Sherri Breaux is well-known for her commitment to education and the5
legislative process, her devotion to family, her graciousness, and her outgoing personality;6
and7
WHEREAS, with three decades of experience in state government, Sherri Breaux8
deftly handled her duties as co-state coordinator of the Legislators Back to School Program9
for the Senate and provided staffing for both the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education10
and the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council; and11
WHEREAS, through her work with the Senate Education Committee she has12
espoused the tenets that to provide guidance and a platform for young students is crucial to13
their development and understanding of representative democracy, which readies them to14
be successful in their participation as citizens in a free society; and15
WHEREAS, Sheryl Lynn Hayes was reared in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by parents16
J. W. and Mildred Hayes along with her brother, Darrel Hayes, and sister, Kim; and17
WHEREAS, she was an outstanding student at Belaire High School, attended18 SR NO. 81
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Louisiana State University and graduated in 1980, with a Bachelor of Science degree in1
family life and environment; and2
WHEREAS, while at LSU Sherri was an stellar athlete and varsity member of the3
LSU Women's Gymnastics team and remains an active member and officer in LSU's4
National "L" Club; and5
WHEREAS, Sherri began her career in state government in 1979, as a student worker6
and research clerk for the Louisiana Legislative Council; and7
WHEREAS, after graduation she was employed for the next four years in the office8
of state Attorney General William J. "Billy" Guste Jr., before returning to the Louisiana9
Legislature as a Senate researcher; and with tenacity and hard work Sherri continued a10
steady progression through the ranks to the position of Chief Legislative Researcher and11
Director of the Resource and Infrastructure Division; and12
WHEREAS, she has worked tirelessly for various legislative committees during that13
time, including the Senate committees on Health and Welfare, Environmental Quality, and14
Education, and special committees such as the Select Committee on Higher Education and15
the Action Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Assets, and Environment; and16
WHEREAS, since 2000, Sherri has been instrumental in the placement of senators17
"at the head of the class" as part of the Legislators Back to School Program, to promote civic18
education in schools; and19
WHEREAS, in 2005, legislation was enacted that established the Louisiana20
Commission on Civic Education, authored by one of Louisiana's leading civic education21
advocates, Senator Gerald Theunissen, and staffed by Sherri; and22
WHEREAS, from the inception of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council in 200723
to the present, Sherri has shouldered the responsibility of staffing the council and has worked24
countless hours to seek out greater opportunities for these young citizens to become more25
involved in the democratic process, at both state and local levels; and26
WHEREAS, Sherri helped to forge partnerships with Louisiana Public Broadcasting27
that invited council participation in the nationally-recognized, statewide broadcast of28
Louisiana Public Square, and provided a forum to promote youth perspective on current29
issues; and30 SR NO. 81
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WHEREAS, Sherri also involved the council with the Louisiana World Peace Day1
Committee and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; and2
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2011, Sherri Breaux was honored by the National Conference3
of State Legislatures with receipt of the Kevin B. Harrington Award for Excellence in4
Democracy Education for her many contributions to the evolution of civic education in the5
state of Louisiana; and6
WHEREAS, during her years of public service Sherri has been witness to many7
changes in state government and has contributed greatly to the betterment of the legislative8
process; and9
WHEREAS, Sherri and her husband, Keith Breaux, are seasoned world travelers who10
have lived in Italy, visited Asia, and toured countries along the Pacific rim; and now have11
extensive plans to circle the globe, journey to Africa, and all points in between; and12
WHEREAS, Sherri is very close to her mother, siblings, nieces, and nephews and she13
and Keith have been blessed with extensive family and many, many friends; and14
WHEREAS, Sherri is an accomplished jewelry designer and plans to delve more into15
both the creative and commercial aspects of gemology; and16
WHEREAS, during her time at the State Capitol, Sherri Breaux has earned the17
respect of legislators on both sides of the aisle and that of her peers, who have been enriched18
immeasurably by her good works.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana20
does hereby commend Sherri Breaux for her many years of exemplary public service to the21
state of Louisiana and congratulate her on the occasion of her retirement.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana23
recognizes the many contributions she has made to the betterment of this legislative body24
and for the well-rounded education of youth in Louisiana.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that her colleagues in the legislature wish for her26
every happiness and success in her future endeavors.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to28
Sherri Breaux.29 SR NO. 81
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
Alario SR No.
Commends Sherri Breaux for her years of public service and upon the occasion of her
retirement.