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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 81
BY SENATORS ALARIO, ADLEY, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, BROWN,
BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAI TOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY,
MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH , MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK,
PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH,
TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE
A RESOLUTION
To commend Sherri Breaux for her many years of dedicated public service to the state of
Louisiana, in particular, the Louisiana Senate and to congratulate her on the occasion
of her retirement.
WHEREAS, Sherri Breaux is well-known for her commitment to education and the
legislative process, her devotion to family, her graciousness, and her outgoing personality;
and
WHEREAS, with three decades of experience in state government, Sherri Breaux
deftly handled her duties as co-state coordinator of the Legislators Back to School Program
for the Senate and provided staffing for both the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education
and the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, through her work with the Senate Education Committee she has
espoused the tenets that to provide guidance and a platform for young students is crucial to
their development and understanding of representative democracy, which readies them to
be successful in their participation as citizens in a free society; and
WHEREAS, Sheryl Lynn Hayes was reared in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by parents
J. W. and Mildred Hayes along with her brother, Darrel Hayes, and sister, Kim; and
WHEREAS, she was an outstanding student at Belaire High School, attended
Louisiana State University and graduated in 1980, with a Bachelor of Science degree in
family life and environment; and
WHEREAS, while at LSU Sherri was a stellar athlete and varsity member of the LSU
Women's Gymnastics team and remains an active member and officer in LSU's National "L"
Club; and
WHEREAS, Sherri began her career in state government in 1979, as a student worker
and research clerk for the Louisiana Legislative Council; and SR NO. 81 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, after graduation she was employed for the next four years in the office
of state Attorney General William J. "Billy" Guste Jr., before returning to the Louisiana
Legislature as a Senate researcher; and with tenacity and hard work, Sherri continued a
steady progression through the ranks to the position of Chief Legislative Researcher and
Director of the Resource and Infrastructure Division; and
WHEREAS, she has worked tirelessly for various legislative committees during that
time, including the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Education, Environmental Quality,
Health and Welfare, Natural Resources, Transportation, and special committees such as the
Select Committee on Higher Education and the Action Subcommittee on Natural Resources,
Assets, and Environment; and
WHEREAS, since 2000, Sherri has been instrumental in the placement of senators
"at the head of the class" as part of the Legislators Back to School Program, to promote civic
education in schools; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, legislation was enacted that established the Louisiana
Commission on Civic Education, authored by one of Louisiana's leading civic education
advocates, Senator Gerald Theunissen, and staffed by Sherri; and
WHEREAS, from the inception of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council in 2007
to the present, Sherri has shouldered the responsibility of staffing the council and has worked
countless hours to seek out greater opportunities for these young citizens to become more
involved in the democratic process, at both state and local levels; and
WHEREAS, Sherri helped to forge partnerships with Louisiana Public Broadcasting
that invited council participation in the nationally-recognized, statewide broadcast of
Louisiana Public Square, and provided a forum to promote youth perspective on current
issues; and
WHEREAS, Sherri also involved the council with the Louisiana World Peace Day
Committee and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; and
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2011, Sherri Breaux was honored by the National Conference
of State Legislatures with receipt of the Kevin B. Harrington Award for Excellence in
Democracy Education for her many contributions to the evolution of civic education in the
state of Louisiana; and SR NO. 81 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, during her years of public service Sherri has been witness to many
changes in state government and has contributed greatly to the betterment of the legislative
process; and
WHEREAS, Sherri and her husband, Keith Breaux, are seasoned world travelers who
have lived in Italy, visited Asia, and toured countries along the Pacific Rim; and now have
extensive plans to circle the globe, journey to Africa, and all points in between; and
WHEREAS, Sherri is very close to her mother, siblings, nieces, and nephews, and
she and Keith have been blessed with extensive family and many, many friends; and
WHEREAS, Sherri is an accomplished jewelry designer and plans to delve more into
both the creative and commercial aspects of gemology; and
WHEREAS, during her time at the State Capitol, Sherri Breaux has earned the
respect of legislators on both sides of the aisle and that of her peers, who have been enriched
immeasurably by her good works.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Sherri Breaux for her many years of exemplary public service to the
state of Louisiana and congratulate her on the occasion of her retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
recognizes the many contributions she has made to the betterment of this legislative body
and for the well-rounded education of youth in Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that her colleagues in the legislature wish for her
every happiness and success in her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Sherri Breaux.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE