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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 83
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions to the legal
profession and community and to recognize April 16, 2014, as Louis A. Martinet
Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
WHEREAS, the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society is the result of the efforts of Earl
J. Amedee, Israel M. Augustine, Norman C. Francis, Benjamin J. Johnson, Alvin Jones,
Ernest N. Morial, Justice Revius Ortique, A. P. Tureaud, and others in seeking to combat the
injustices and inequalities that existed in the 1950s regarding the legal profession; and
WHEREAS, it was during that tumultuous time that Jim Crow dominated every
aspect of African-American life and African-American attorneys were barred from
participating in the mainstream of the nation's legal profession; and
WHEREAS, the founding members of Louis A. Martinet Legal Society organized
for professional support and to focus their skills and training to combat Jim Crow in their
communities and in the courtrooms; and
WHEREAS, the society is named in honor of a pioneer in the legal profession, Louis
André Martinet who was the first African-American graduate at Straight University Law
School, which is now named Dillard University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Martinet graduated law school in 1876, one year after he passed the
Louisiana Bar Examination; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being an attorney Mr. Martinet was a politician, educator,
activist, journalist, medical doctor, notary, and a key figure in the civil rights activities
surrounding the end of Reconstruction; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 83
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WHEREAS, many of the Martinet Legal Society's objectives upon its founding
remain the same today; the members are able to exchange ideas, promote legal scholarship,
advance the science of jurisprudence, promote the administration of justice, and uphold the
order and ethics of the courts to promote the welfare of the legal profession; and
WHEREAS, there are Louis A. Martinet Legal Society chapters across the state that
promote the same doctrine; and
WHEREAS, the society is greatly involved in the community through projects such
as the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, Annual Scholarship and Awards
Gala, Pro Bono Project, Reading Project, Bar Scholarship Program, and several other
programs in conjunction with Martinet's affiliates: the National Bar Association, Louisiana
State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, The Louisiana Legislative Black
Caucus, Black Law Students Association, Louisiana Judicial Conference, and other Martinet
chapters across the state; and
WHEREAS, the Martinet Legal Society has provided hundreds of students with
scholarships to attend undergraduate and law school within the state of Louisiana and has
served as the backbone and resource to civil rights litigation, education initiatives, and
professional development of many African-American and minority attorneys.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its
contributions to the legal profession and community and recognizes April 16, 2014, as the
first Louis A. Martinet Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to
Christopher B. Hebert, president of the Baton Rouge chapter and Rachael Johnson, president
of the New Orleans chapter.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES