SLS 15RS-592 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181
BY SENATOR ALARIO
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Senator Sharon Weston Broome, Senate President Pro
Tempore, for her many years of distinguished public service provided to the Legislature of
Louisiana.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend the Honorable Sharon Weston Broome, Senate President Pro Tempore, for
3 over a quarter century of exemplary public service rendered on behalf of the city of
4 Baton Rouge, the parish of East Baton Rouge, and the state of Louisiana.
5 WHEREAS, it is with great appreciation that the Senate of the Legislature of
6 Louisiana congratulates Sharon Weston Broome for her outstanding record of legislative
7 accomplishments and recognizes her commitment to the betterment of the state; and
8 WHEREAS, blessed with an enchanting smile and innate talents of graciousness,
9 integrity, and persuasion, Senator Broome has persevered and triumphed to become a
10 conduit for positive social change and a distinctive voice for the people; and
11 WHEREAS, during her career, Senator Broome has experienced a number of "firsts",
12 as the first woman to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore in the House, the first African American
13 of her gender elected to represent Senate District No. 15, and the first female legislator to
14 ascend to pro tempore levels of leadership in both houses of the legislature; and
15 WHEREAS, Sharon Weston Broome "stood on the shoulders of giants", leaders such
16 as Representative Dorothy Mae Taylor, Senator Diana Bajoie, and Senator Virginia Shehee,
17 determined women elected to the legislature who were trailblazers in their own right; and
18 WHEREAS, Senator Broome has been a tour de force, fearlessly leading by example,
Page 1 of 4 SR NO. 181
SLS 15RS-592 ORIGINAL
1 to broaden the pathways of justice and secure a better quality of life, both economically and
2 politically, for all; and
3 WHEREAS, her first venture into the political arena was as an elected member of
4 the Metro Council of Baton Rouge; then in 1992, she won the House of Representatives seat
5 to serve the fine constituents of House District No. 29, representing East and West Baton
6 Rouge parishes; and
7 WHEREAS, her local government expertise added to active participation in House
8 standing committees on Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs as chairman,
9 Appropriations, Health and Welfare, Insurance, and Commerce, and special entities, the
10 House Executive Committee and the Joint Legislative Committees on the Budget; and
11 WHEREAS, blessed with eloquent oratory skills and a passionate spirit, Senator
12 Broome attracted others to her causes; she supported important social issues as the vanguard
13 for the interests of the poor, the disenfranchised, the young, and the elderly; and
14 WHEREAS, she took a leap of faith in 2004, ran in a special election to represent
15 Senate District No. 15, the unexpired term of Mayor Kip Holden, and provided an unbroken
16 line of service to her constituency in metropolitan Baton Rouge addressing their concerns
17 of educational opportunity, environmental health, law enforcement, employment training,
18 health services, and economic development; and
19 WHEREAS, during her tenure in the upper chamber she served on Senate standing
20 committees such as Local and Municipal Affairs, Insurance, Finance, Revenue and Fiscal
21 Affairs, and the Select Committee on High School Interscholastic Athletics, the Senate
22 Executive Committee, and Joint Legislative Committees on Capital Outlay and budget
23 committee; and chaired the Legislative Women's Caucus; and
24 WHEREAS, Senator Broome believed that a bright future for children is dependent
25 upon a strong foundation of good health and opportunity; she authored landmark legislation
26 to address childhood obesity, physical fitness, nutrition, and preventative health measures
27 for newborns while serving on the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children; and
28 WHEREAS, admired for her integrity by her peers in national legislative
29 organizations, Senator Broome gained prominence with affiliation and leadership status in
30 the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women) as
Page 2 of 4 SR NO. 181
SLS 15RS-592 ORIGINAL
1 president, National Black Caucus of State Legislators as vice-chairman, Southern Legislative
2 Conference of the Council of State Governments, State Legislative Leaders Foundation
3 Board, and National Conference of State Legislatures Steering Committee; and
4 WHEREAS, as a catalyst for change Senator Broome implemented monumental
5 legislation and initiatives in education, community development, mental health, children's
6 advocacy, economic development, and family stability; and
7 WHEREAS, Senator Broome sought legal protections for victims of abuse, domestic
8 violence, and human trafficking, and has been honored by the Louisiana Coalition Against
9 Domestic Violence and many other human rights organizations; and
10 WHEREAS, among the litany of citations received for her community service, the
11 Morehouse College Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builder's Prize is a prestigious national
12 award that recognizes the unselfish efforts of an individual to promote peace; and
13 WHEREAS, as the deserving recipient of copious honors that are far too numerous
14 to count, Senator Broome has been celebrated for her civic achievements throughout public
15 life; her most recent accolades include receipt of the Champion of the Old South Baton
16 Rouge Award from the Lieutenant Governor's Office, Recovery Heroes Award from Capital
17 Area Human Services, Lifetime Achievement from the NAACP of Baton Rouge, the Baton
18 Rouge Metropolitan Airport Service Award, Outstanding Community Leader from New
19 Light Missionary Baptist Church, Legislator of the Year from Louisiana Business and
20 Community Alliance, and was named as one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Women" by
21 the Baton Rouge Business Report; and
22 WHEREAS, Senator Broome has many jewels in her crown of good works; one
23 project of cultural significance is the preservation of the historic connections of Baton Rouge
24 to the Modern Civil Rights Movement; presently the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame
25 project is a website and educational tool that showcases the contributions and achievements
26 of African American Louisianians; the future goal for the Hall of Fame is a complete
27 restoration of the Lincoln Theatre as a premier museum and exhibit hall; and
28 WHEREAS, Senator Broome is a generous human being with a sincere interest in
29 her community and possesses a skillset to make a difference in the lives of many; and
30 WHEREAS, she wears the mantle of community service proudly and willingly while
Page 3 of 4 SR NO. 181
SLS 15RS-592 ORIGINAL
1 extending courtesy to all; and
2 WHEREAS, from holy scripture, Psalms Chapter 27, Verse 1, reads, "The Lord is
3 my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom
4 shall I be afraid?"; and as a Christian and member of Star Hill Church, Sharon Weston
5 Broome has lived by faith and as a mother and grandmother she has taught her children to
6 love one another and to face the world, unafraid; and
7 WHEREAS, Sharon Weston Broome, well known for her devotion to family, her
8 commitment to the community, her kind nature, and her determination to bring about
9 change, has earned the unceasing respect of the citizens of the state of Louisiana, especially,
10 her hometown of Baton Rouge, whose populace view her as their champion, who applaud
11 her dedication to years of public service, and who have been enriched immeasurably by her
12 good works.
13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
14 does hereby commend the Honorable Sharon Weston Broome, Senate President Pro
15 Tempore, for the wealth of public service performed in both houses of the legislature on
16 behalf of the betterment of citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish and the state as well.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
18 hereby recognize the exceptional record of accomplishment rendered by Senator Sharon
19 Weston Broome, acknowledge her many talents, and offer its hardiest congratulations and
20 best wishes for success in all future endeavors.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
22 Sharon Weston Broome, distinguished senator for Senate District No. 15, with affection and
23 great appreciation.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
SR 181 Original 2015 Regular Session Alario
Commends Sharon Weston Broome, Senate President Pro Tempore, for 24 years of
extraordinary public service.
Page 4 of 4