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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 138
BY REPRESENTATIVES BROADWATER, ABRAMSON, ADAMS, ANDERS, ARMES,
ARNOLD, BADON, BARRAS, BARROW, BERTHELOT, BILLIOT, STUART
BISHOP, WESLEY BISHOP, BROWN, BURFORD, HENRY BURNS, TIM
BURNS, BURRELL, CARMODY, CARTER, CHAMPAGNE, CHANEY,
CONNICK, COX, CROMER, DANAHAY, DIXON, DOVE, EDWARDS,
FANNIN, FOIL, FRANKLIN, GAINES, GAROFALO, GEYMANN, GISCLAIR,
GREENE, GUILLORY, GUINN, HARRIS, HARRISON, HAVARD, HAZEL,
HENRY, HENSGENS, HILL, HODGES, HOFFMANN, HOLLIS, HONORE,
HOWARD, HUNTER, HUVAL, IVEY, KATRINA JACKSON, JAMES,
JEFFERSON, JOHNSON, JONES, KLECKLEY, LAMBERT, NANCY LANDRY,
TERRY LANDRY, LEBAS, LEGER, LEOPOLD, LOPINTO, LORUSSO, MACK,
MILLER, MONTOUCET, MORENO, JAY MORRIS, JIM MORRIS, NORTON,
ORTEGO, PEARSON, PIERRE, PONTI, POPE, PRICE, PUGH, PYLANT,
REYNOLDS, RICHARD, RI TCHIE, ROBIDEAUX, SCHEXNAYDER,
SCHRODER, SEABAUGH, SHADOIN, SIMON, SMITH, ST. GERMAIN,
STOKES, TALBOT, THIBAUT, THIERRY, THOMPSON, WHITNEY, ALFRED
WILLIAMS, PATRICK WILLIAMS, WILLMOTT, AND WOODRUFF
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Clea Edward Parker, former president of
Southeastern Louisiana University.
WHEREAS, Dr. Clea Edward Parker served as president of Southeastern Louisiana
University for over twelve years, from January, 1968, through June, 1980; and
WHEREAS, during Dr. Parker's tenure as president, the school transitioned from a
college to a university, which increased its standing among post-secondary institutions; and
WHEREAS, Southeastern Louisiana University experienced a forty percent growth
in enrollment during Dr. Parker's term as president; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker obtained legislative approval to undertake an ambitious
renovation and construction program at the university, including the building of the
Southeastern School of Nursing in Baton Rouge, the C.E. Cate Teacher Education Center,
the Athletic Building, the humanities building now known as D. Vickers Hall, the Health and
Physical Education Building, the new Sims Memorial Library, and the Southeastern
University Center; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 138
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WHEREAS, a hallmark of Dr. Parker's term as president was his focus on increasing
the role of students in the university, including their involvement in determining graduate
programs to be offered; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker increased student involvement by naming students to serve
on university-wide committees, having an open-door policy for students to visit with him
in his office, and visiting students in cafeterias, classrooms, and on the grounds; and
WHEREAS, Clea Edward Parker was born to William and Lutretia Davis Parker on
April 2, 1927, in Talisheek, Louisiana, in St. Tammany Parish; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker's life was one committed to education, beginning as an
instructor at Rugby Academy in New Orleans and continuing seventeen years in the St.
Tammany Parish School System as a teacher, coach, supervisor, and eventually, Director of
Curriculum and Instruction for the parish school system; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker served as principal of Mandeville High School and was the
first graduate of that school to serve as its principal; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Southeastern Louisiana
College and, interestingly, was the first alumnus of that institution to serve as its president;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker earned his Master of Education and Doctor of Education
degrees from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, in his many years as an educator, Dr. Parker served on a number of
local, state, and national committees and was recognized by many educational organizations
as a leader in the field of education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Parker considered education to be a lifetime endeavor, and he
attended training and classes at Tulane University, Peabody College of Education and
Human Development, the University of Kansas, and the University of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, after his tenure as president, Dr. Parker was named President Emeritus
and he remained vitally interested and active in the life of Southeastern Louisiana
University, attending events and inquiring as to the state of the university and offering his
assistance; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 138
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WHEREAS, Dr. Parker is survived by his wife of more than sixty years,
Peggy Faciane Parker, his sons, Brian and Stephen and their families, and his daughters,
Karen Parker Ellis and Robin Parker and their families; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John L. Crain, the current president of Southeastern Louisiana
University, remarked that Parker's "lifelong commitment to education serves as an
inspiration for us all".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Dr. Clea Edward Parker, former president of Southeastern Louisiana University,
and does hereby record for posterity enduring appreciation for his lifetime of outstanding
contributions and achievements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
beloved wife, Peggy Faciane Parker.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES