2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 101
BY SENATOR NEVERS AND REPRESENTATI VE RITCHIE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Al J. Ransome for his service to the state of Louisiana and as a pioneer in the
field of unemployment compensation cost control management.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the citizens of Louisiana
learned of the death of Al J. Ransome on Friday, March 7, 2014; and
WHEREAS, he was a native of Morganza and a resident of Baton Rouge for much
of his life; and
WHEREAS, he attended Louisiana State University and was honorably discharged
from the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ransome's knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit led
to the creation of a competitive nationwide industry in cost control management of
unemployment compensation for employers; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, Mr. Ransome founded Unemployment Compensation Control
Systems, Inc. and served as its chief executive officer until early 2003; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, Mr. Ransome founded Unemployment Cost Solutions, LLC
and served as its chief executive officer until his death; and
WHEREAS, he was responsible for the design, development, and implementation
of an ongoing computerized management control and reporting system in the area of
unemployment compensation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ransome was extremely knowledgeable in unemployment law,
having worked in the unemployment compensation industry for more than forty years, and
in 1986 and 1987 was asked to serve on a task force established by the governor and a task
force established by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry to address
Louisiana's bankrupt unemployment trust fund; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ransome developed the concept of bonding the 1 billion dollar
unemployment compensation trust fund debt, which resulted in retiring the debt seven years
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early and further allowed the unemployment compensation trust fund to grow to 1.5 billion
dollars; and
WHEREAS, enacting that concept into law in a 1987 Special Session of the
Legislature of Louisiana became the most significant economic development legislation of
the decade, according to leading Louisiana economist Dr. Timothy Ryan; and
WHEREAS, when hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck Louisiana, Mr. Ransome
anticipated the effect those storms were going to have on the field of unemployment cost
control for private sector and governmental employers; and
WHEREAS, he was able to bring together the Louisiana Workforce Commission,
the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, and the AFL-CIO to enact legislation
over a period of years which allowed the unemployment compensation trust fund to absorb
the unemployment compensation paid to displaced workers without Louisiana employers
having to absorb any of the cost; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ransome worked together with labor and industry to pass
legislation, including Acts 116 and 633 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature, Act
288 of the 2007 Regular Session of the Legislature, and Act 512 of the 2008 Regular Session
of the Legislature, that was equally beneficial to labor, industry, and the state of Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ransome is survived by his loving wife, Darlene Sansone Ransome,
a daughter, Stephanie "Taffy" Matheny, and three sons, Justin Paul Ransome, Dustin Mark
Ransome, and Al Jerome Ransome II; seven grandchildren, John W. St. Amant II,
Christopher Matheny, Breeanna Ransome, Brooke Ransome, Blair Ransome,
Christin Ransome, and Cullen Ransome; and two great-grandchildren, J.W. St. Amant III
and Jackson Matheny; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of its communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure upon people like
Al J. Ransome; and
WHEREAS, Al J. Ransome deserves recognition and commendation for the
tremendous honor and integrity with which he served his clients, the state of Louisiana, and
all who knew and loved him.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby
commends Al J. Ransome, who exemplified all that is good about Louisiana, and recognizes
and records for posterity his long and productive career as a distinguished entrepreneur and
pioneer in the field of unemployment compensation cost control management.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Al J. Ransome.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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