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