ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 196
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Father Albert
J. McKnight, C.S.Sp.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of Father Albert J. McKnight,
C.S.Sp., on April 17, 2016, at the age of eighty-eight; and
WHEREAS, Father McKnight was born on August 18, 1927, in Brooklyn, New
York; and
WHEREAS, on August 15, 1947, he professed his vows as a member of the
Congregation of the Holy Spirit at Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, he was ordained a priest on June 6, 1952, at St. Mary's Seminary in
Norwalk, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, Father McKnight was first appointed to serve at St. Paul Church in
Lafayette; he served for many years in various parishes throughout Louisiana including Our
Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Martin de Porres, and Holy Ghost Parish;
and
WHEREAS, in 1969, he established and served as president of the Southern
Cooperative Development Fund; he served on many national philanthropic and human rights
committees, including serving as the executive director of the National Black Catholic
Clergy Caucus; and
WHEREAS, he served as a novice director in Texas for four years until he was asked
to retire in Haiti to continue serving the poor; and
WHEREAS, he wrote a well known autobiography entitled Whistling in the Wind;
and
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WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Althea Holmes
McKnight; and his sister, Colleen McKnight; and
WHEREAS, Father McKnight is survived by his brother, Donald McKnight; his
sister, Brenda Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Father Albert J. McKnight, C.S.Sp., will long continue to bring great
pride and honor to the state of Louisiana, and he will be missed by so many in the
communities he served in Acadiana and beyond.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Father Albert J. McKnight, C.S.Sp.; does hereby recognize his uncompromising
endeavor to improve the welfare of his fellow citizens; and does hereby recognize and record
for posterity his singular contributions and achievements, which will forever be remembered
and continue to be a source of pride and honor for his family and friends, his order, and the
state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Father Albert J. McKnight, C.S.Sp.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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