SLS 15RS-33 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 64
BY SENATOR ALARIO AND REPRESENTATIVE BILLIOT
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Charles H. Grisbaum Jr.
former legislator and retired Chief Judge of the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 passing of the Honorable Charles H. Grisbaum Jr. retired Chief Judge for the
4 Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal and former member of the Louisiana House
5 of Representatives representing District Seventy-nine, and to recognize his
6 paramount contributions to the legal process, to the state, and to his community.
7 WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
8 Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the passing of a dear friend, former colleague, and
9 capable jurist, the Honorable Charles H. Grisbaum Jr. on September 6, 2014; and
10 WHEREAS, Judge Grisbaum faithfully deliberated the cases brought before the
11 Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal for nearly twenty years, from 1982 until his
12 retirement in 2001; and
13 WHEREAS, Judge Grisbaum was elected, unopposed, as appellate court judge for
14 the Fifth Circuit, First District, Division F; he would later become chief judge in 1999; and
15 WHEREAS, during his tenure on the bench, Judge Grisbaum heard numerous cases
16 before the court and ruled each verdict on the merits of the case with intense concentration
17 on the letter of the law and with impartiality toward those defendants; and
18 WHEREAS, Judge Grisbaum displayed a genuine affinity for criminal law; he
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1 attained a bachelor of arts degree in Business Administration from Loyola University of the
2 South in 1959 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Loyola School of Law in 1961; he was
3 chosen as a member of the prestigious Loyola National Moot Court; and
4 WHEREAS, after graduation he organized the law partnership of Grisbaum and
5 Kleppner; and
6 WHEREAS, Charles "Charlie" Grisbaum was widely respected as an attorney and
7 proved to be a consummate political leader as well, when elected by the constituency of
8 West Metairie in Jefferson Parish as a member of the House of Representatives serving
9 District Seventy-nine; and
10 WHEREAS, during his term in office from election in 1971 until his judicial election
11 in 1982, Charlie Grisbaum served as a highly effective lawmaker with assignment to House
12 committees on Education, House and Governmental Affairs, Labor and Industrial Relations,
13 Natural Resources, and Judiciary D; and
14 WHEREAS, Charlie Grisbaum also served as chairman of the House Committee on
15 the Administration of Criminal Justice from 1980 until 1982 and as floor leader and as vice
16 chairman on the Governor's Commission on Criminal Justice for Governor David C. Treen;
17 and
18 WHEREAS, Charlie was one of a group of new reform-minded legislators known
19 as the "Young Turks"; his attitude was reflective of the changing face of Louisiana's political
20 scene; he challenged the status quo and embraced reform, he supported progressive changes
21 in the operations of state government that continue to benefit citizens today, he acted as a
22 leader for House Speaker, E. L. "Bubba" Henry in efforts to streamline the Rules of Order
23 of the House of Representatives; and his leadership earned him the respect of his colleagues
24 on both sides of the aisle; and
25 WHEREAS, Charlie Grisbaum steadfastly endeavored to improve the welfare of his
26 fellow citizens and his legislative accomplishments were numerous; he authored legislation
27 against pinball machine gambling, tax increases on individual income and the state sales tax,
28 fixed prices on dairy products, mandatory teacher union membership, and motor vehicle
29 repair fraud; and
30 WHEREAS, he adamantly supported consumer protection, no-fault automobile
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1 insurance, emergency medical care, reapportionment of Jefferson Parish, campaign finance
2 disclosure, the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution,
3 annual cost-of-living raises for schoolteachers, Right to Life, fire protection, building safety
4 regulations, vocational training, educational funding for private schools, flood insurance, and
5 creation of governmental bodies such as the Atchafalaya Basin District, the Legislative
6 Budgetary Control Council, the Legislative Fiscal Office, and the Council on Environmental
7 Quality; and
8 WHEREAS, Charlie Grisbaum was a dynamic leader with a clear understanding of
9 the important issues of the day; he was committed to new ideas; and he represented his
10 constituents with equal passion and effectiveness; and
11 WHEREAS, Judge Grisbaum mediated the docket and upheld the integrity of the
12 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal for two decades, far longer than his ten years of service in the
13 House of Representatives, however, his legal expertise and legislative experience were
14 essential preparation that attributed to his extraordinary service on the appellate bench; and
15 WHEREAS, Charlie Grisbaum is survived by his loving wife, Beverly, and their
16 children, Ghant, Garic, Gevin, and Gretchen, two grandchildren, extended family and loving
17 friends; and
18 WHEREAS, Judge Charles Grisbaum was the kind of individual who represents what
19 is best about Louisiana, a man of wisdom and insight who used his talents, integrity, and
20 passion to change Louisiana for the better; and he leaves a remarkable legacy of bona fide
21 public service to the justice system, the legislature, and the citizenry of Louisiana.
22 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
23 express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of a fine statesman and
24 gentleman, the Honorable Charles H. Grisbaum Jr. retired Chief Judge for the Louisiana
25 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal and former state legislator for House of Representatives
26 District Seventy-nine.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
28 family of Judge Charles H. Grisbaum Jr.
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 64 Original 2015 Regular Session Alario
Expresses condolences upon the death of the Honorable Charles H. Grisbaum Jr. retired
appellate court judge and former state representative.
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