HLS 14RS-3339 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 83
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
COMMENDATIONS: Commends the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions
to the legal profession and the community and recognizes April 16, 2014, as Louis
A. Martinet Day at the La. State Capitol
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions to the legal2
profession and community and to recognize April 16, 2014, as Louis A. Martinet3
Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.4
WHEREAS, the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society is the result of the efforts of Earl5
J. Amedee, Israel M. Augustine, Norman C. Francis, Benjamin J. Johnson, Alvin Jones,6
Ernest N. Morial, Justice Revius Ortique, A. P. Tureaud, and others in seeking to combat the7
injustices and inequalities that existed in the 1950s regarding the legal profession; and8
WHEREAS, it was during that tumultuous time that Jim Crow dominated every9
aspect of African-American life and African-American attorneys were barred from10
participating in the mainstream of the nation's legal profession; and11
WHEREAS, the founding members of Louis A. Martinet Legal Society organized12
for professional support and to focus their skills and training to combat Jim Crow in their13
communities and in the courtrooms; and14
WHEREAS, the society is named in honor of a pioneer in the legal profession, Louis15
André Martinet who was the first African-American graduate at Straight University Law16
School, which is now named Dillard University; and17
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinet graduated law school in 1876, one year after he passed the18
Louisiana Bar Examination; and19 HLS 14RS-3339 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 83
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WHEREAS, in addition to being an attorney Mr. Martinet was a politician, educator,1
activist, journalist, medical doctor, notary, and a key figure in the civil rights activities2
surrounding the end of Reconstruction; and3
WHEREAS, many of the Martinet Legal Society's objectives upon its founding4
remain the same today; the members are able to exchange ideas, promote legal scholarship,5
advance the science of jurisprudence, promote the administration of justice, and uphold the6
order and ethics of the courts to promote the welfare of the legal profession; and7
WHEREAS, there are Louis A. Martinet Legal Society chapters across the state that8
promote the same doctrine; and9
WHEREAS, the society is greatly involved in the community through projects such10
as the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, Annual Scholarship and Awards11
Gala, Pro Bono Project, Reading Project, Bar Scholarship Program, and several other12
programs in conjunction with Martinet's affiliates: the National Bar Association, Louisiana13
State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, The Louisiana Legislative Black14
Caucus, Black Law Students Association, Louisiana Judicial Conference, and other Martinet15
chapters across the state; and16
WHEREAS, the Martinet Legal Society has provided hundreds of students with17
scholarships to attend undergraduate and law school within the state of Louisiana and has18
served as the backbone and resource to civil rights litigation, education initiatives, and19
professional development of many African-American and minority attorneys.20
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the21
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its22
contributions to the legal profession and community and recognizes April 16, 2014, as the23
first Louis A. Martinet Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to25
Christopher B. Hebert, president of the Baton Rouge chapter and Rachael Johnson, president26
of the New Orleans chapter.27 HLS 14RS-3339 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 83
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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)]
James HR No. 83
Commends the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions to the legal profession
and the community and recognizes April 16, 2014, as Louis A. Martinet Day at the La. State
Capitol.