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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 64
BY SENATOR PETERSON
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions
to the legal profession and community and recognize April 16, 2014, as Louis A. Martinet
Day at the State Capitol.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions to the legal2
profession and community and recognize April 16, 2014, as Louis A. Martinet Day3
at the 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
Andre' Martinet who was the first African-American graduate at Straight University Law16
School, which is now named Dillard University; and17
WHEREAS, he graduated law school in 1876, one year after he passed the Louisiana18 SR NO. 64
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Bar Examination; and1
WHEREAS, in addition to being an attorney Martinet was a politician, educator,2
activist, journalist, medical doctor, notary, and a key figure in the civil rights activities3
surrounding the end of Reconstruction; and 4
WHEREAS, many of the Martinet Legal Society's objectives upon its founding5
remain the same today; the members are able to exchange ideas, promote legal scholarship,6
advance the science of jurisprudence, promote the administration of justice, and uphold the7
order and ethics of the courts to promote the welfare of the legal profession; and8
WHEREAS, there are Louis A. Martinet Legal Society chapters across the state that9
promote the same doctrine; and10
WHEREAS, the society is greatly involved in the community through projects such11
as the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, Annual Scholarship and Awards12
Gala, Pro Bono Project, Reading Project, Bar Scholarship Program, and several other13
programs in conjunction with Martinet's affiliates: the National Bar Association, Louisiana14
State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, The Louisiana Legislative Black15
Caucus, Black Law Students Association, Louisiana Judicial Conference, and other Martinet16
chapters across the state; and17
WHEREAS, the Martinet Society has provided hundreds of students with18
scholarships to attend undergraduate and law school within the State of Louisiana and has19
served as the backbone and resource to civil rights litigation, education initiatives, and20
professional development of many African-American and minority attorneys.21
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana22
does hereby commend the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions to the legal23
profession and community and recognizes April 16, 2014, as the first Louis A. Martinet Day24
at the State Capitol.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to26
Christopher B. Hebert, president of the Baton Rouge chapter and Rachael Johnson, president27
of the New Orleans chapter .28 SR NO. 64
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by J. Ashley Mitchell.
DIGEST
Peterson SR No. 64
Commends the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society for its contributions to the legal profession
and community and recognizes April 16, 2014, as Louis A. Martinet Day at the State
Capitol.