2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 139
BY SENATORS MILLS, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BISHOP,
BOUDREAUX, BROWN, CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR,
COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE, ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI,
HEWITT, JOHNS, LAFLEUR, LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU,
MARTINY, MILKOVICH, MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH,
PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN
SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND
WHITE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Clark Remy Cossé III upon the occasion of his retirement from his illustrious
forty-three-year career in governmental relations.
WHEREAS, Mr. Cossé was born and educated in New Orleans and was an
accomplished graduate of the parochial educational system, and, upon receiving his high
school diploma, moved to Baton Rouge to attend Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, after attendance at both Louisiana State University and the University
of New Orleans and earning his undergraduate degree, Clark Cossé again headed to Baton
Rouge, this time to enroll in law school at Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, in 1972, Mr. Cossé earned his Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert
Law Center and, shortly thereafter, he embarked on what would become a forty-three-year
career in governmental relations, beginning with a move to Shreveport and assuming the
duties of representation of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, though Clark Cossé's representation of the chamber was exemplary, he
returned to south Louisiana and accepted a position as lobbyist and chief counsel for the
Southern Forest Products Association, where, again, he distinguished himself in articulating
the needs and concerns of the economically significant timber industry in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, having proven his skills in governmental relations, his expertise in
articulating the requirements of his client, and his natural affability, Mr. Cossé was offered
a position with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, as the primary governmental relations advocate for the interests of
business in the state of Louisiana, Mr. Cossé worked tirelessly, produced exceptional results
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for his client, and established himself as a man of his word and an articulate representative
for educating lawmakers regarding the essential role of business and industry in the
economic prosperity of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cossé is well known for his keen insight into what trends and
obstacles the future would bring and has always been interested in moving Louisiana
forward and many of his career accomplishments reflect this vision, but none more than his
collaboration with Denis Paul Juge to coauthor the Workers' Compensation Desk Book,
which was published by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry in 1993; and
WHEREAS, after eleven years of tireless representation of the business and
industrial sector in Louisiana, in 1994, Mr. Cossé joined the Louisiana Hospital Association
as lobbyist and chief counsel, eventually stepping into the positions of chief governmental
officer and general counsel, representing many of Louisiana's hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cossé has, throughout his career, been known for his reputation for
fairness, honesty, and knowledge of the law, all traits that earned him an appointment to the
board of the Patients' Compensation Fund, which oversees the payment of large medical
malpractice claims against private physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers; and
WHEREAS, during his service on this board, Clark Cossé was elected to eight
one-year terms as chairman, guiding the actions of the fund on behalf of those Louisianians
harmed by private health care providers; and
WHEREAS, over the years of his career in government, Clark Cossé has been a
tireless advocate for his clients while operating with the belief that, especially as a lobbyist,
he should never compromise his honesty, and he held himself to maintain high moral and
ethical standards; and
WHEREAS, while working diligently to represent the interests of the business
community at the legislature, Clark Cossé met and married Lisa Black, the lovely woman
with whom he has shared his life; together the two have raised their delightful children,
daughter Elizabeth and son Remy, instilling in them the values and character traits that
would serve them well as they moved into their own work lives, primarily, maintaining
personal integrity, committing oneself to a tireless work ethic, and remaining dedicated to
one's family and faith while incorporating humor into their lives every day; and
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WHEREAS, Clark Cossé has taken seriously the responsibility to mentor younger
lobbyists, model for them the values and ethical standards that have distinguished his career,
and set an example of how to represent aggressively one's client while maintaining those
standards; and
WHEREAS, as Mr. Cossé leaves a distinguished career, he gains the time and
freedom to travel with Lisa to those state capitals that they have yet to explore and enjoy
well-deserved relaxation with his family and friends.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Clark Remy Cossé III upon the occasion of his retirement from an illustrious
forty-three-year career in governmental relations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Clark Remy Cossé III.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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