HLS 14RS-5556 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 164
BY REPRESENTATIVE ST. GERMAIN
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Paul J. Ramsay
A RESOLUTION1
To express the condolences and the heartfelt sorrow of the House of Representatives upon2
the death of Paul J. Ramsay, owner of Nottoway Plantation and chairman of Ramsay3
Health Care Companies.4
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2014, the state lost one of its very best and most-respected5
businessmen and philanthropists; and6
WHEREAS, Paul Ramsay was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1936, and would later7
graduate from St. Ignatius College, Riverview, in New South Wales, followed by studies at8
the University of Sydney; and9
WHEREAS, at the age of twenty-eight, Ramsay purchased a guest house on Sydney's10
North Shore and converted it into a sixteen-unit psychiatric hospital, that became the first11
private psychiatric hospital in all of Australia; and12
WHEREAS, Ramsay renamed his company Ramsay Health Care and began13
purchasing surgical centers, private hospitals, and rehabilitation centers all over Australia,14
and over the next several decades, Ramsay Health Care expanded outside of Australia into15
Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and France, and today the company employs over16
thirty thousand people and treats over one million patients every year at over one hundred17
fifty private health care centers; and18
WHEREAS, in 2002, Ramsay became an Officer of the Order of Australia for his19
philanthropy and in 1985, he purchased Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana, and20
poured fifteen million dollars into an extensive renovation of the original mansion in 2005,21 HLS 14RS-5556 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 164
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and he then expanded multiple areas of the thirty-five-acre site, transforming what was once1
an old plantation into a preeminent conference and wedding resort, and Mr. Ramsay2
accomplished all of this while Louisiana was still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricanes3
Katrina and Gustav and the BP oil spill; and4
WHEREAS, Mr. Ramsay directed the bulk of his three and one-half billion dollar5
estate to be transferred to the Paul Ramsay Foundation, which will become one of the6
wealthiest charities in the country; and7
WHEREAS, Nottoway Plantation & Resort will continue to operate and grow, now8
guided by Mr. Ramsay's foundation, and by his long-term vision of turning the property into9
the South's premiere destination.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the11
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express its condolences and most heartfelt sorrow to12
the family of Paul J. Ramsay, businessman and philanthropist.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted14
to Mr. Ramsay's family and to Nottoway Plantation.15
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)]
St. Germain HR No. 164
Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Paul J.
Ramsay.