2016 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY SENATOR GARY SMITH
A RESOLUTION
To commend Mr. Merrill James Dasch Sr. of Norco, Louisiana, on the occasion of his one
hundred-first birthday, June 2, 2016, and to honor and celebrate his lifetime of
outstanding accomplishments.
WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting and proper that the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana honor an active and productive citizen like Mr. Dasch; and
WHEREAS, he was born on June 2, 1915, in St. Charles Parish in the rural
community near Des Allemands, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, having worked all of his life, Merrill J. Dasch is a self-made man, who
learned many skills and was employed by Shell Oil for thirty-five years until his retirement;
and
WHEREAS, he was born before the advent of rural electrical utilities, television, and
space travel, and in his mature years has witnessed man's walk on the moon, digital
technology, telecommunications, life-saving miracles in medical research, and many other
technical wonders that were unheard of early in his life; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dasch was married to the former Alma Chaisson and together they
had lived a wonderful life celebrating seventy-two years of marriage until her passing in
January 2012; and
WHEREAS, together they were blessed with a daughter, Lucy Abate Allen, and a
son, Merrill J. "Jim" Dasch Jr., and were also blessed with five grandchildren and a host of
great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dasch remains active in his community and as a faithful parishioner
of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, he is forever a servant of his God; and
WHEREAS, Merrill Dasch feels a closeness to the earth under his feet and spends
many hours in his gardens and grows vegetables all year long; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merrill J. Dasch Sr. merits a special measure of commendation and
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recognition for the tremendous pride, kindness, and sense of purpose that he brings to his
family, friends, church, community, and state.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Mr. Merrill James Dasch Sr. of Norco, Louisiana, on the occasion of
his one hundred-first birthday, June 2, 2016, and does hereby recognize the extraordinary
life he has lived thus far and the contributions he has made to his family and community, and
wish for him a full measure of happiness in the years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Mr. Merrill James Dasch Sr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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