HLS 15RS-39 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 40
BY REPRESENTATIVES SMITH, KLECKLEY, AND JIM MORRIS
CONDOLENCES: Commemorates the life of Kate Lemon, senior librarian with the David
R. Poynter Legislative Research Library
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To commemorate the life of Kathryn Ellen "Kate" Lemon, senior research librarian with the
3 David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library and thirty-three-year member of the
4 House staff, and to recognize and record her many significant contributions to the
5 Legislature of Louisiana.
6 WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members and staff
7of the Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of their colleague and dear friend,
8Kathryn Ellen "Kate" Lemon, on Sunday, June 8, 2014, at the age of sixty-five, and it is
9fitting to recognize and record for posterity her many achievements and significant
10contributions; and
11 WHEREAS, born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on November 1, 1948, to Arthur Harold and
12Kathryn Agerton Lemon, Kate Lemon was a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, where she
13cultivated lifelong friendships, many of which were formed at the Legislature of Louisiana,
14where she was an integral member of the staff of the Louisiana House of Representatives for
15thirty-three years; and
16 WHEREAS, Kate received a bachelor of arts and a master of library science degree
17from Louisiana State University and served as a cataloger at the St. Louis Art Museum prior
18to beginning her long career in Louisiana; and
19 WHEREAS, Kate began her exemplary career with the Louisiana House of
20Representatives in 1981, and she was widely respected and admired for her superb work
21ethic and superior research skills; and
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HCR NO. 40
1 WHEREAS, for more than three decades, Kate was a true resource for all House
2members and staff because of her expertise and professional ability, and her long-term
3knowledge of the legislative process was of invaluable assistance; and
4 WHEREAS, Kate Lemon played a formative role in shaping and maintaining the
5unique role that the library plays in strengthening and preserving the legislative institution;
6and
7 WHEREAS, Kate was a vital part of the team of talented librarians that won the 2006
8Legislative Staff Achievement Award from the Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section
9of the National Conference of State Legislatures for their special efforts and successes
10following the disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and
11 WHEREAS, with the death of Kate Lemon, Louisiana has lost one of her most gifted
12daughters, one whose contributions to the Legislature of Louisiana were closely tied to some
13of the most important times in its history; and
14 WHEREAS, Kate is missed greatly by the members and staff of the Louisiana House
15of Representatives and the Louisiana Senate, many of whom were blessed to know her as
16a friend and confidante, and she will always be fondly remembered for the genuine interest
17and regard she exhibited for those with whom she worked, her readiness to assist in whatever
18project might benefit from her vast knowledge, and her singular wit and wisdom; and
19 WHEREAS, Kate was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother and is
20survived by several cousins, an aunt, devoted friends in Baton Rouge and many other cities,
21and her beloved "boys", Buck and T.C., her prized Maine Coon cats; and
22 WHEREAS, the debt of the people of Louisiana to Kate Lemon is indeed great, for
23through her mastery of her profession and particularly through her dedication to the
24Legislature of Louisiana, she left an indelible mark on not only those fortunate enough to
25know her but for all those who will walk the halls of the Capitol after her and who feel the
26lasting impact of her wonderful legacy.
27 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
28commemorate the life of our friend Kathryn Ellen "Kate" Lemon, senior librarian in the
29David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library and thirty-three year member of the staff of
30the Louisiana House of Representatives; does hereby recognize and record for posterity her
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HCR NO. 40
1significant contributions to the legislature through her outstanding abilities, unwavering
2integrity, and the friendship and able assistance she generously gave to all who worked with
3her; and does hereby express the deep regret of the entire legislative family upon the loss of
4this extraordinary individual who served this institution so long and so well.
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)]
HCR 40 Original 2015 Regular Session Smith
Commemorates the life of Kathryn Ellen "Kate" Lemon, senior research librarian for the
David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library.
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