ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 161
BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHRODER
A RESOLUTION
To commend Peter Louis Gitz, III, upon his retirement as mayor of Madisonville.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Peter Louis Gitz, III, upon his retirement
as mayor of Madisonville and to recognize him for his unwavering dedication to public
service; and
WHEREAS, Peter L. Gitz was born on March 8, 1935, in Madisonville; he graduated
from Covington High School in 1954; and
WHEREAS, on September 19, 1964, he married Jo Ann Bennett; they are the proud
parents of Peter, Jr., Paul, Janet, and Judy, and the loving grandparents of Meagan and
Dillon; and
WHEREAS, he is well-known for his entrepreneurship; for thirty-five years, he
owned Badeaux's Drive Inn, home of the famous milk shakes and malts; from 1955 until
1982, he worked for T.L. James, Brown & Root, and Raymond International in general
management; and
WHEREAS, on July 1, 1976, Mr. Gitz was elected to serve as mayor pro tempore for
the town of Madisonville, and in 1977, he become the mayor of Madisonville; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, he was responsible for originating the Wooden Boat
Festival in 1988, as well as other festivals; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Gitz was instrumental in the expansion of the town-owned gas
system and the building of the Maritime Museum, and he displayed superb leadership during
Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Gitz diligently worked with parish and library officials to
establish a new home for Madisonville's local library after Hurricane Katrina; and
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WHEREAS, Mayor Gitz enjoys spending time on his farm with his grandchildren
and farm animals; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Gitz is one of Louisiana's finest public servants and a gentleman
whose dedicated and highly productive service has forever changed Madisonville for the
better; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Gitz will always remain an inspiration to his fellow citizens for
the vital contributions he has made in his long career of very effective public service, and
he merits the highest commendation and most sincere congratulations for his exemplary term
of service and for the tremendous pride, honor, and joy that he brings to all who know and
love him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Peter Louis Gitz, III, upon his retirement as
mayor of Madisonville; does hereby recognize and record for posterity the deep and abiding
appreciation of his fellow citizens, particularly those of Madisonville, for his exemplary
public service and his friendship; and does hereby extend to him best wishes for success and
happiness in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Peter Louis Gitz, III.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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