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