2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175
BY SENATORS ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, BROWN,
BUFFINGTON, 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 Robert Roy Adley for his years as a statesman of the highest
caliber, for his excellent participation in the affairs of state and local government,
and his military service to his country.
WHEREAS, it is indeed appropriate to congratulate Senator Robert Adley for his
contributions made on behalf of constituents in the northwest parishes and for the betterment
of the state of Louisiana as a whole, particularly his commitment as a distinguished member
of the Louisiana State Senate representing District No. 36 and the Louisiana House of
Representatives representing District No. 8 for a total of twenty-nine years of exemplary
legislative service; and
WHEREAS, Robert Adley, a businessman in natural gas management, was first
engaged in political life with elections to the Bossier Parish Recreation Board, the Bossier
City Civil Service Board, and the Bossier City Council; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, when Robert Adley won election to House of Representatives
District No. 8, to represent Bossier Parish, his father shared a bit of sage advice, "When you
get to Baton Rouge, the only thing you take is my good name. Be sure to bring it home"; and
WHEREAS, Senator Adley has honored his father's wishes and sustained a legacy
of conservatism and fiscal reform that reflects those independent characteristics he inherited;
and
WHEREAS, while in the House of Representatives, Mr. Adley held membership on
the standing committees for Natural Resources, Commerce, Transportation, Highways, and
Public Works, and Health and Welfare, sharpened his skills as chairman of Appropriations,
and advanced legislation as the House Floor Leader for Governor Charles "Buddy" Roemer;
and
Page 1 of 4 SR NO. 175 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, after an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 1995, Adley was
elected to Senate District No. 36 in a special election held to fill the unexpired term of friend
and former classmate, Foster Campbell; and
WHEREAS, since 2003, Robert Adley has aggressively represented the needs of the
district and remained accessible to his constituency in the district that encompasses all of
Bienville and Webster parishes and portions of Claiborne, Red River, and Bossier parishes;
and
WHEREAS, during his tenure at the Senate, he took particular interest in legislation
to address the issues of conservation, campaign finance disclosure, infrastructure funding,
water quality, aquatic weed eradication, economic development, vocational training, rural
health care funding, governmental ethics reform, and capital outlay; and
WHEREAS, he lent his expertise to Senate committees on Revenue and Fiscal
Affairs and Environmental Quality as vice chairman, Judiciary C and Transportation,
Highways, and Public Works as chairman, and made substantial contributions to Senate
select committees on Veterans Affairs as chairman and Vocational and Technical Education;
and
WHEREAS, Senator Adley paid close attention to the state fisc as an active member
of the Legislative Audit Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served his country
in the Vietnam War, Senator Adley was instrumental in creation of the Louisiana Veterans
Honor Medal, an award that is presented to Louisiana military personnel to recognize
veterans for their honorable military service and to thank the families of deceased veterans
for their sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, stated,
"Once a marine, always a marine!" and Senator Adley still upholds the motto of the corps,
Semper fidelis, always faithful, with a singular premise that no soldier should ever be
forgotten; and
WHEREAS, each year Senator Adley acknowledges the memory of those fallen
comrades-in-arms that served on active duty by authoring condolence memorials rendered
to the family of deceased military personnel recognizing the ultimate sacrifice made on
Page 2 of 4 SR NO. 175 ENROLLED
behalf of freedom and country; it is a fitting reminder of the warrior who perished but is not
forgotten; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the Ark-La-Tex Chapter of the Military Officers Association
of America honored Senator Adley for his service and recognized his continued support of
veterans issues in the legislature; he is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW); and
WHEREAS, Senator Adley has been the deserving recipient of numerous honors and
awards throughout the course of an extraordinary career, and his professional, civic, and
business affiliations are many and include past president of the Louisiana Jaycees and a
member of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association; and
WHEREAS, in the Senate, Robert Adley is known as a tenacious fighter who stands
by his beliefs; he is a dragon-slayer in committee and a worthy opponent in any debate;
however, sensitive to the plight of others, he has a soft-hearted side as well that emerges to
address the rights of the underdog and those underserved by the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, he is a loving husband to Claudia Henagan Adley, and together they
have experienced a wonderful life story with many future chapters left to write as they return
to private life; and
WHEREAS, Senator Adley takes great pride in the success of his son, Brandon, a
doctor of veterinary medicine, yet carries a father's loss of a second son, Brice Cort Adley,
who predeceased him in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Robert Adley is a Christian of deep and abiding faith who acts as a Lay
Leader in the United Methodist Church of Benton and regularly attends and addresses the
Senators' Prayer Breakfast; and
WHEREAS, as he prepares to begin the next chapter of his life, Senator Adley
deserves hardy commendation for the strides he has taken to improve state government as
an exceptional member of the Louisiana State Senate and the House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Robert Adley has earned the respect of his peers and the unceasing
gratitude of the citizens of the state of Louisiana, in particular, the people of Bossier Parish
and all of Northwest Louisiana, who have been enriched immeasurably by his good works;
and
Page 3 of 4 SR NO. 175 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, in the Holy Bible, the scripture from Psalms, Chapter 19, Verse 14,
reads, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your
sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."; Senator Robert Adley walks in faith, bears
witness to the Lord's eternal grace, and gives thanks to his savior, Jesus Christ, for his many
blessings.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the Honorable Robert R. Adley and does hereby extend honor and
recognition for his many accomplishments, particularly his three decades of extraordinary
service to the Legislature of Louisiana, which has been marked by his uncompromising
actions to improve the welfare of the citizens of the state, and does hereby pay tribute to him
for the generous and effective way in which he has dedicated his intelligence and energy to
the service of his community, family, state, and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby express its hardiest congratulations to Senator Adley for his legislative service and
that his colleagues convey best wishes for every success in his future pursuits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable Robert Adley, distinguished legislator from Senatorial District 36.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 4 of 4