HLS 16RS-3143 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 124
BY REPRESENTATIVE SEABAUGH
COMMENDATIONS: Commends posthumously R.W. "Buzzy" Graham of Alexandria,
former state representative and delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1973
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend posthumously R.W. "Buzzy" Graham of Alexandria, former state
3 representative and delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1973.
4 WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5Louisiana House of Representatives learned of the death of R.W. "Buzzy" Graham, former
6state representative from Alexandria, on Friday, December 19, 2014, at the age of seventy-
7seven, and it is appropriate that he be commended posthumously for his tremendous
8contributions to the people of this state; and
9 WHEREAS, on July 7, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, R.W. "Buzzy" Graham, son
10of the late Bess and Warren Graham, took his first breath as a legendary Louisianian; and
11 WHEREAS, in 1955, Mr. Graham graduated from Bolton High School, and he
12earned a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana State University, where he was a
13member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, in 1959; and
14 WHEREAS, after graduating from LSU, Mr. Graham enlisted in the United States
15Army National Guard, where he attained the rank of captain; and
16 WHEREAS, from 1968 until 1972, Mr. Graham, one of the youngest legislators in
17the state at that time, served a highly effective term as a member of the Louisiana House of
18Representatives, using every opportunity as an able and productive legislator to serve his
19constituency in Grant Parish and Rapides Parish and all citizens of the state in an honorable
20and dedicated manner; and
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HR NO. 124
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham steadfastly endeavored to improve the welfare of his fellow
2citizens, and his legislative accomplishments were numerous; he served with diligence as
3a member of the House Committee on Insurance, the House Committee on Judiciary A, and
4the House Committee on Public Works and Institutions; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham was a proud member of the group of legislators known as
6the "Young Turks" who were determined to rid the legislature of its antiquated ways and
7bring it into the twentieth century and who were dubbed as such by a reporter in reference
8to the leaders of a Turkish revolt who reformed the Ottoman Empire; and
9 WHEREAS, upon the completion of his legislative service, Mr. Graham served in
10the administration of Governor Edwin Edwards as his executive secretary; and
11 WHEREAS, in October of 1973, Mr. Graham was appointed by Governor Edwards
12as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1973, and he contributed significantly to
13constitutional revisions that greatly furthered the authority of the legislature as a coequal
14branch of government; he also served as president of the nonprofit group Committee for the
15Constitution; and
16 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham's name is etched into the annals of convention history in
17a verse of a memorable song penned by Moise W. Dennery, convention secretary, and sung
18on the final day of the convention to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne": Judge Albert Tate goes
19to the mike / To speak of draft and style / As Graham, Gravel, and Robert Pugh / All visit in
20each aisle; and
21 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham remained in the insurance business until his retirement as
22vice chairman of Risk Services of Louisiana, and he was an active member of his community
23through his participation with the Alexandria Jaycees and the Alexandria/Pineville Chamber
24of Commerce, as a Shriner, and as a member of the Kiwanis Club, the LSU Alumni
25Association, and the Masonic Lodge, where he was a past Master of Oliver Lodge No. 84;
26and
27 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham was also an avid hunter, fisherman, scuba diver, and pilot,
28and he shared many wonderful moments at his camp, Catfish Point Club, in Greenville,
29Mississippi, with friends and family; and
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HR NO. 124
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham's beloved wife of fifty-five years, Carol Parker Graham,
2passed away on Easter eve in 2016; he is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Ginger
3Niemann and her husband John, Leslie Letbetter, Piper Glasgow and her husband Ray, and
4Peyton Mayeaux and her husband James; ten grandchildren, Ashton Niemann Keller (Zane),
5Chip Niemann, Kendall Niemann, Ashley Letbetter Green (Trey), Evans Glasgow, Braden
6Glasgow, Emily Glasgow, Thomas Mayeaux, Graham Mayeaux, and Maxfield Mayeaux;
7one great granddaughter, Chloe Grace Green; his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Larry and
8Graham and his wife Peggy; and numerous nieces and nephews; and
9 WHEREAS, Mr. Graham will forever be respected and remembered by his fellow
10citizens for his singular contributions and for his steadfast commitment to his family, friends,
11community, state, and nation.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
13Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend posthumously former state representative
14R.W. "Buzzy" Graham of Alexandria, does hereby recognize that he will forever be
15remembered, respected, and admired by the many citizens whose lives he touched, including
16members of the legislative family who still mourn the loss of this wonderful man who served
17his state and the legislative institution so well, and does hereby record for posterity the
18enduring appreciation of the citizens of Louisiana for his outstanding contributions and
19achievements, particularly during his tenure as a distinguished member of the Louisiana
20House of Representatives and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1973.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
22to the family of R.W. "Buzzy" Graham.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 124 Original 2016 Regular Session Seabaugh
Commends posthumously R.W. "Buzzy" Graham of Alexandria, former state representative
and delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1973.
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