SLS 14RS-4385 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 138
BY SENATORS JOHNS, MORRISH AND JOHN SMITH AND REPRESENTATIVES
DANAHAY, FRANKLIN, GEYMANN, GUINN, HENSGENS AND
KLECKLEY
COMMENDATIONS. Commends former state senator James J. Cox for his many
accomplishments.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend former state senator James J. Cox for his many accomplishments.2
WHEREAS, James J. Cox was a diligent champion for the citizens of Louisiana3
through both his service as a state senator and also his lifelong work in the legal profession;4
and5
WHEREAS, James J. Cox was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on June 2, 1934,6
the youngest child of eight; and7
WHEREAS, following the death of his father when James was only two years old,8
his mother raised James and his siblings on her own, supporting the family on a9
schoolteacher's salary; and 10
WHEREAS, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Juris Doctorate from11
Tulane University and has been actively engaged in the practice of law since finishing his12
studies at the University of Paris on a Fulbright Scholarship in 1960; and13
WHEREAS, James J. Cox has served as the president of both the Southwest14
Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association; and15
WHEREAS, he was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement and has been16
actively involved in every presidential race since 1960, backing Democrats at every level;17
and18 SCR NO. 138
SLS 14RS-4385 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, in his three terms in the Louisiana Senate, James J. Cox was a master1
of consensus building, forging alliances, and ultimately joining with a former adversary to2
secure millions of additional dollars for funding the education of southwest Louisianians;3
and4
WHEREAS, he was instrumental in implementing legislative term limits and as an5
example to others, he bowed out of legislative service after three terms in the Louisiana6
Senate, fulfilling his campaign promise to the citizens of District 27; and7
WHEREAS, James J. Cox has been accompanied on his journey by his loving wife,8
Marilyn Marie Melancon, for over fifty years and the couple has been blessed with six9
children.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does with11
heartfelt gratitude hereby commend former state senator James J. Cox for his many12
accomplishments.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to14
James J. Cox.15
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Margaret M. Corley.
DIGEST
Johns SCR No. 138
Commends former state senator James J. Cox for his many accomplishments.