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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 15
BY SENATOR BROOME
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere condolences upon the passing of former state Senator
Mike Cross.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
passing of former mayor of Baker and former Louisiana State Senator, Michael A.3
Cross, and to celebrate his life of public service, his humanity, and his many4
contributions made on behalf of the citizens of Senate District 13, of the city of5
Baker, and of the state of Louisiana.6
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of7
the death of former state senator, Mike Cross, on November 18, 2013, at the age of8
sixty-nine; and9
WHEREAS, Mike Cross was an affable gentleman, kind and considerate, who10
possessed an indomitable spirit; he was open and honest; a consummate man of the people11
who never met a stranger, a vibrant human being with an endearing compassion for those12
he represented; and13
WHEREAS, he was born on September 8, 1944, to parents, Aduron B. Cross and the14
former Margie McCulloch; and15
WHEREAS, after graduation from Baker High School in 1962, he attended the16
University of Southwestern Louisiana, now known as University of Louisiana at Lafayette;17
and18 SCR NO. 15
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WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Baker, Mike was employed as a chemical plant1
manager when his life of public service began with his election as a member of the Baker2
City Council in 1972 and later with his election as the city's mayor in 1976; and3
WHEREAS, at that time, Mike was the youngest elected city council member and4
mayor in Louisiana and won a second mayoral term in 1980; and5
WHEREAS, with each election he ran a grassroots campaign; he walked door-to-6
door, shook hands, and asked constituents about improvements that would make their7
community a better place in which to live; and8
WHEREAS, his accomplishments were many, as councilman he voted to reduce the9
city's utility service fee to a flat rate of one dollar per month for senior citizens and as mayor10
he had ad valorem taxation rates reduced by thirty-three percent; and11
WHEREAS, as mayor he was very energetic and brimming with new ideas; he12
focused on efficiency in city government operations that included adoption of a digital13
database format for utility services; and he was frugal with taxpayer monies and always had14
an end-of-year surplus; and15
WHEREAS, in 1981, after serving five years as mayor, he ran and was elected to the16
Louisiana State Senate in a special election to fill a vacated seat and for fifteen years he17
represented Senate District 13 that included portions of the parishes of East Feliciana, East18
Baton Rouge, and Livingston; and19
WHEREAS, during his distinguished tenure in the Louisiana Senate, Senator Cross20
authored and coauthored various critical pieces of legislation concerning pro-life issues,21
prolabor and the prevailing wage, local and municipal finance, tighter regulation of anabolic22
steroid usage, establishment of the Baker Independent School District, flood control and23
drainage infrastructure projects, and the creation of the homeschool program that provided24
parents with an educational alternative that allowed for a home-study curriculum; and25
WHEREAS, during his exemplary service to the citizens of Louisiana, Senator Cross,26
a conservative, was a loyal and viable member of the Democratic Party; however, he cared27
little for partisan politics and more about what he could do for the betterment of the people28
he served; and29
WHEREAS, while in the Louisiana Senate he served as vice-chairman of the Finance30 SCR NO. 15
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Committee and he also served on Senate committees on Judiciary B, Local and Municipal1
Affairs, Retirement, Environmental Quality, and Labor and Industrial Relations; and2
WHEREAS, after his tenure ended in the Louisiana Senate in 1996, Mike Cross was3
appointed as vice president of the Louisiana Housing Corporation, then opened his own4
lobbying firm, Cross and Co., which represented high level clients such as CLECO electric5
utilities and the Louisiana Municipal Association; and6
WHEREAS, Mike Cross enjoyed the company of others; he possessed a friendly7
demeanor and a fun-loving spirit of adventure no matter what the activity; he loved music8
and singing; also he frequently used an adage which he attributed to his father, that9
"Everyday is a good day, some are just better than others."; and10
WHEREAS, Mike Cross is survived by his wife, Kristie, four sons, Shane Michael,11
Clifton Lance, Ryan Michael, and Matthew Aaron, two daughters, Lauren Adrianne and12
Christen Joanna Cross, and two sisters, Pat Cross and Lori C. Martinez, plus a host of13
precious friends and extended family; and 14
WHEREAS, Mike Cross shall be remembered by his many contemporaries in the15
Louisiana Legislature for his ability to stand his ground on principle, his fearlessness, his16
tireless work ethic, and his ability to speak directly from his heart; as a legislator, he was17
tenacious, always focused on the task at hand, and always personable; and18
WHEREAS, Mike Cross was a Christian with a generous heart who shared his19
invaluable knowledge with others; he proved himself to be a man of many talents and of his20
word, and a man whose dedication to this state and its people was without par; and21
WHEREAS, he wore the mantle of community service proudly and willingly while22
extending courtesy and friendship to all; and 23
WHEREAS, although the passing of Mike Cross has left a tremendous void in his24
community, he leaves a rich and unique legacy that shall live on in the hearts of all who25
knew him throughout the halls of this Legislature and the state of Louisiana.26
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby27
express its sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of Senator Mike Cross,28
businessman, civic leader, and legislator, and does hereby acknowledge that his life was29
well-spent in service to his country, his community, and his state.30 SCR NO. 15
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his1
widow, Kristie Cross.2
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Broome SCR No. 15
Expresses condolences upon the death of former Baker mayor and state senator, Mike Cross.