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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 221
BY REPRESENTATIVES MILLER, WILLMOTT, SCHEXNAYDER, AND GAINES
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Judge Joel Chaisson for his many years of service to the
state of Louisiana
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Honorable Joel T. Chaisson upon his selection as the recipient of the 20132
C. Alvin Bertel Award.3
WHEREAS, the 2013 C. Alvin Bertel Award will be presented by the World Trade4
Center of New Orleans to the Honorable Joel T. Chaisson, executive director of the Port of5
South Louisiana, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the6
greater New Orleans port area, and it is appropriate to commend Mr. Chaisson for his many7
contributions to the ports of greater New Orleans, the River Parishes, and the state of8
Louisiana; and9
WHEREAS, Judge Chaisson is a public servant whose excellence as a state leader10
and policymaker was proven in his service in the Louisiana House of Representatives, to11
which he was twice elected to represent the River Parishes, and during which time he used12
every opportunity to serve the citizens of his district and the state in an honorable and13
dedicated manner; and14
WHEREAS, from 1964 to 1968 and from 1980 to 1982, Representative Chaisson15
served with great distinction as a member of the commerce, conservation, judiciary, and16
public health and welfare committees, bringing his unique talents and exuberant personality17
to the position as a highly effective and productive leader; and18
WHEREAS, during his time in the House of Representatives, Judge Chaisson worked19
on and supported many important pieces of legislation, including legislation related to20
making the River Parishes and the greater New Orleans port area major centers of business21
and commerce for the state and legislation related to coastal protection and restoration; and22 HLS 13RS-4211 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, in addition to his service in the House of Representatives, Judge1
Chaisson had a long and productive career serving the River Parishes and the greater New2
Orleans area as a special prosecutor and assistant district attorney for the Twenty-Ninth3
Judicial District Court from 1972 to 1975, as a judge in the Twenty-Ninth Judicial District4
Court from January 1982 through December 1996, as legal counsel to the Port of South5
Louisiana from April 2000 to April 2005 and as executive director of the Port of South6
Louisiana from April 2005 to July 2013; and7
WHEREAS, Judge Chaisson is married to the former Bobbie Gulledge and they are8
the proud parents of Joel II, Robert, Walter, Paul, Jared, Maria, John, David, and Eve; and9
WHEREAS, Judge Chaisson is a member of many professional and civic10
organizations including the American Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, American11
Judges Association, American Judicature Society, Fourth and Fifth Circuit Judges12
Association, Twenty-Ninth Judicial District Bar Association, Louisiana State University13
Law Alumni Association, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, World Trade Center of New14
Orleans, Committee of 100, Ports Association of Louisiana, American Association of Port15
Authorities, Gulf Ports Association of the Americas, Louisiana River Pilot Review and16
Oversight Board, Intermodal Association of North America, Mississippi Valley Trade and17
Transport Council, International Freight Forwarders and Custom Brokers Association of18
New Orleans, Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals, Red River Valley Association, and the19
Louisiana International Board of Commerce; and20
WHEREAS, as he prepares to begin the next exciting and productive chapter of his21
life, Judge Chaisson merits a sincere measure of commendation for his singular contributions22
and the exemplary strides he has taken as an exceptional former member of the Louisiana23
House of Representatives, as a prosecutor and judge, and as the executive director of the Port24
of South Louisiana.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the26
Legislature of Louisiana hereby commends the Honorable Joel T. Chaisson upon his27
selection as the recipient of the 2013 C. Alvin Bertel Award, hereby extends honor and28
recognition to him for his outstanding accomplishments, particularly as executive director29
of the Port of South Louisiana and during his tenure as a member of the Louisiana House of30 HLS 13RS-4211 ORIGINAL
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Representatives, which was marked by his uncompromising endeavor to improve the welfare1
of his constituents in the New Orleans area, the River Parishes, and the citizens of the state2
of Louisiana, and hereby pays tribute to him for the generous and effective way in which he3
has dedicated his intelligence and energy to the service of his family, friends, community,4
the House of Representatives, and the state of Louisiana.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives hereby6
expresses enduring gratitude to Representative Chaisson for his service to the citizens of7
Louisiana as evidenced by his superlative achievements as a member of this distinguished8
body, and hereby extends to him the best wishes of all of his colleagues for continued9
prosperity and success in his future endeavors.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted11
to the Honorable Joel T. Chaisson.12
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Miller HR No. 221
Commends Judge Joel Chaisson for his many years of service to the state of Louisiana and
upon his receipt of the 2013 C. Alvin Bertel Award.