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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 139
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROADWATER
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. J. Larry Crain, former
president of Southeastern Louisiana University, former state commissioner of higher
education, and former secretary of the Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the House of Representatives of the2
Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Dr. James Larry Crain, former president3
of Southeastern Louisiana University, former state commissioner of higher4
education, and former secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and5
Tourism.6
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the citizens of Louisiana have learned of the7
death of Dr. J. Larry Crain on February 2, 2014, at the age seventy-nine; and 8
WHEREAS, a native of Washington Parish, he taught science and coached basketball9
at Varnado High School before leaving to go to Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU)10
as a professor of Biology; and11
WHEREAS, Larry Crain met Edwin Edwards in 1970 when he was an assistant12
professor of biology at SLU; he heard Edwin Edwards speak and was so impressed with him13
that he introduced him throughout Washington Parish; Edwin Edwards went on to win the14
gubernatorial election in 1976 and asked Larry Crain to serve as deputy secretary, and later15
secretary, of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. Larry Crain went on to serve as SLU's president from 1980 to 198617
before becoming system president for the Board of Trustees for State Colleges and18
Universities, which is now known as the Board of Supervisors for the University of19
Louisiana System; and20 HLS 14RS-4951 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 139
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WHEREAS, the current president of SLU, Dr. John L. Crain, described Dr. J. Larry1
Crain as the one who "led the university at a pivotal time in its history during the 1980s and2
played a key role in transforming the institution from a small, sleepy college into one of the3
state's major regional universities; he will be remembered for his efforts to enhance the4
academic stature of the university during the 'oil bust' years that impacted the state's5
economy and severely affected the funding of higher education as well as other state6
services; he will be remembered as a man of integrity who was committed to higher7
education and historic preservation"; and8
WHEREAS, in December 1993, following a contentious deadlock between9
supporters of Governor Edwin Edwards and appointees of former Governor Buddy Roemer,10
the Board of Regents named Dr. James Larry Crain as the state's higher education11
commissioner; and12
WHEREAS, Dr. Larry Crain was an avid collector with an interest in history,13
particularly the Civil War and southern architecture, culture and genealogy; he was a14
member of the Civil War Roundtable, serving as the group's president; and he had "perhaps15
the finest collection in the world" of U.S. Martial single-shot pistols; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain spent years restoring a dogtrot-style house on his17
grandfather's homestead in State Line, including a functioning syrup mill, blacksmith shop,18
and barn; and19
WHEREAS, he was a loving husband and a cherished father, grandfather, great-20
grandfather, and friend whose love of family was of the utmost importance to him in his life;21
and22
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,23
and the overall vitality of American society depends, in great measure, upon people like Dr.24
J. Larry Crain who dedicate themselves and their lives to education and to making Louisiana25
a better place for future generations.26
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the27
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the28
death of Dr. J. Larry Crain, former president of Southeastern Louisiana University, former29
state commissioner of higher education, and former secretary of the Department of Culture,30 HLS 14RS-4951 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 139
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Recreation and Tourism, and does hereby record for posterity enduring appreciation for his1
lifetime of outstanding contributions and achievements.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the3
family of Dr. J. Larry Crain.4
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)]
Broadwater HR No. 139
Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. J. Larry Crain, former president of
Southeastern Louisiana University, former state commissioner of higher education, and
former secretary of the Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.