2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145
BY SENATORS ALARIO, ADLEY, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, BROWN,
CHABERT, CLAITOR, CORTEZ, CROWE, DONAHUE, DORSEY-
COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, JOHNS,
KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY, MILLS, MORRELL,
MORRISH, MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON,
RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Honorable Sherri Smith Buffington, the distinguished senator from Senate
District No. 38, for her years of dedicated public service to this body and to the state
of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Senator Sherri Buffington is one of a growing number of female-elected
officials in state government; she has been recognized by her peers for her firm commitment
to her constituency, her compassion, her graciousness, and her persuasive nature; and
WHEREAS, Sherri Smith began her work in the Louisiana Senate in 1992 as the
legislative aide to her friend and mentor, the late Senator Ron Bean, an affable gentleman
who represented the city of Shreveport, all of Caddo, and those portions of DeSoto Parish
that comprised the district; and
WHEREAS, Sherri had the best possible on-the-job training in legislative procedure;
she honed her skills while observing the rigors of committee preparation, constituent
inquiries, compromise, and political alliances; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, with Ron Bean's blessing, she ran a successful campaign in a
four-candidate race and was elected to represent the district composed of diverse urban and
rural landscapes; Senator Buffington bears the distinction as the first female Republican
elected to the Senate of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, with her finger on the pulse of her district and the surrounding
Ark-La-Tex region, Senator Buffington is mindful of the economic stimulus needed for
continued growth and dynamic business and industrial opportunities; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure, Senator Buffington has taken a particular interest in
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health care funding that strengthens a superb research and medical community that includes
the Louisiana State University Health Science Center at Shreveport, the LSU School of
Medicine, and over thirty other hospitals and specialty medical centers that serve a regional
population of one-half million; and
WHEREAS, Senator Buffington is known as a strong supporter of law enforcement,
elder care protective services, and equitable medical treatment options for children and the
elderly; and
WHEREAS, during her time at the Louisiana Senate, she has served fervently on the
standing committees on Finance, Environmental Quality, Health and Welfare,
Transportation, Highways and Public Works as vice chairman, Labor and Industrial
Relations, Local and Municipal Affairs, and on the select committees of Homeland Security
as chairman, Veterans Affairs, Women and Children as vice chairman, the Senate Executive
Committee, and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget; and
WHEREAS, as an even-tempered lawmaker, in 2015, Sherri Buffington gave
wholehearted support to a civility initiative known as Speak Your Peace, a grassroots effort
to restore courtesy in public discourse; it is a simple expression of politeness that when
adopted in a discussion of ideas all participants are respectful of alternative points of view,
to honor the position of others, to seek understanding, and to accept responsibility for one's
behavior; and
WHEREAS, Senator Buffington has worked tirelessly for various civic causes and
served on local boards to improve the quality of life in her community as a member of the
DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce, the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and the
Southern Hills Business Association; and
WHEREAS, Sherri Buffington has been honored for her community service with
many well-deserved accolades too numerous to count; and
WHEREAS, as an avid naturalist and steward of the Sportsman's Paradise, she holds
membership in the recreational organizations of Women in the Outdoors, and the National
Wild Turkey Federation; and
WHEREAS, Sherri is an active member of the Summer Grove Baptist Church, a
Christian with a warm and generous heart who shares her invaluable knowledge with others,
and she proves to be a woman of many talents and true to her word; and
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WHEREAS, having served this body for over two decades as a fair-minded, trusted
public servant, Sherri Smith Buffington has proved that her dedication to the betterment of
this state and its people is without par; and
WHEREAS, held in high regard as an exceptional member of the Louisiana
Legislature by her fellow statesmen on both sides of the aisle, Senator Buffington merits a
sincere measure of acknowledgment for her extraordinary accomplishments as she prepares
to begin the next productive chapter of her life.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the Honorable Sherri Smith Buffington for her faithful service
performed on the behalf of her constituency and for the betterment of all of the state of
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby express its hardy congratulations for a job well done and convey its best wishes for
all her future aspirations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable Sherri Smith Buffington, state senator for Senatorial District 38.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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