HLS 15RS-717 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 37
BY REPRESENTATIVES BROADWATER, EDWARDS, PUGH, AND SIMON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Gordon Burgess for his service to Tangipahoa Parish,
the state of Louisiana, and the United States of America
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize and record the accomplishments and contributions of Gordon Burgess and
3 commend him for his service to Tangipahoa Parish, the state of Louisiana, and the
4 United States of America.
5 WHEREAS, in 1986, Gordon Burgess entered public service as Tangipahoa Parish
6president; he is the only president Tangipahoa Parish has had, and he has been in office for
7nearly thirty years; and
8 WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, Mr. Burgess has consistently explored new ways
9to improve the welfare of the citizens of Tangipahoa Parish and has maintained their trust
10over the years; and
11 WHEREAS, he established the "Pay As You Go" plan to help relieve the parish from
12debt and become a thriving parish; under Mr. Burgess's leadership, the parish was able to
13retire its debt and move forward to build countless major infrastructure improvements which
14included eight hundred twelve miles of overlay roads and two hundred one miles of chip seal
15course; and
16 WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess has long been known as the face of Tangipahoa Parish and
17a huge contributor to steady progress in the parish; and
18 WHEREAS, he was instrumental in the creation of the multipurpose Florida Parishes
19Arena in Amite; he became chairman of the Louisiana Racing Commission, and in 1982 the
20commission led the fight to secure legislative funding for a state police investigative unit for
21horse racing; and
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HR NO. 37
1 WHEREAS, as chairman of the Louisiana Racing Commission, Mr. Burgess helped
2restore the credibility of horse racing in Louisiana; and
3 WHEREAS, prior to his election, in 1986, as parish president for Tangipahoa Parish,
4Mr. Burgess worked to secure funding for the parish's current jail; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess's public service contributions extend beyond Tangipahoa
6Parish to state and federal levels; his experience and vision have led to appointments on the
7Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry and the Police Jury Association of Louisiana
8executive board; he served as vice president of the Zachary Taylor Parkway Association and
9was a member of the Louisiana Federal Property Advisory Board, Parishes Against Coastal
10Erosion, the Amite Rotary Club, the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, the Ponchatoula and
11Amite Area Chambers, and the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association; and
12 WHEREAS, throughout his tenure as president of Tangipahoa Parish, Mr. Burgess
13has remained loyal, compassionate, and a fighter for his family, friends, and constituents;
14and
15 WHEREAS, he is a member of the First Baptist Church in Independence where he
16serves as a deacon; and
17 WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess is the loving husband of Margaret Burgess, father of Wade
18Burgess, and grandfather of Alex Burgess; and
19 WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess attended Southern Arkansas University before serving two
20years in the Nike Missile Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery of the United States Army, as well
21as four years of active reserve status in the National Guard; and
22 WHEREAS, as a well-respected leader and after eight terms as Tangipahoa Parish
23president, Mr. Burgess leaves a legacy of exemplary public service, effective leadership, and
24tremendous achievement.
25 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
26Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Gordon Burgess for nearly thirty years of
27service to the citizens of Tangipahoa Parish as parish president and expresses its sincerest
28appreciation for his dedication and leadership during his service to the state of Louisiana and
29the United States of America.
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HR NO. 37
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
2to Gordon Burgess.
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)]
HR 37 Original 2015 Regular Session Broadwater
Commends Gordon Burgess upon his retirement as Tangipahoa Parish president and
recognizes his service and contributions to the state of Louisiana and the United States of
America.
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