HLS 17RS-3147 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 151
BY REPRESENTATIVE ANDERS
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Al Ater, who formerly served
as a member of the La. House of Representatives and as secretary of state
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Alan Ray "Al" Ater, who
3 formerly served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and
4 secretary of state.
5 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
6Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of Alan Ray "Al" Ater on
7Sunday, May 21, 2017, at the age of sixty-three; and
8 WHEREAS, a native of Decatur, Illinois, and a longtime resident of Ferriday,
9Louisiana, Mr. Ater was a respected and admired individual who made a tremendous impact
10on this state; and
11 WHEREAS, Al Ater was born on December 15, 1953, as the youngest of the five
12children of Donald Edward Ater and the former Ruth Lavonne Chapman; his family moved
13to Louisiana, and he graduated in 1971 from Huntington High School in Ferriday, and then
14attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches; and
15 WHEREAS, first and foremost, Al Ater was a farmer and steward of the land; his
16Lakeland Planting Company farmed corn, cotton, soybeans, and rice in several parishes of
17northeast Louisiana; and
18 WHEREAS, in 1984, Al Ater was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives,
19where he served until 1992; he used every opportunity as an able and productive legislator
20to serve the people of Catahoula, Concordia, and Tensas parishes and all of his fellow
21citizens in an honorable and dedicated manner; and
Page 1 of 3 HLS 17RS-3147 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 151
1 WHEREAS, as the state representative for District No. 21, Mr. Ater served diligently
2as a member of several committees, including the House Committee on Agriculture, the
3House Committee on Enrollment, the House Committee on House and Governmental
4Affairs, the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the House Committee on
5Transportation, Highways and Public Works, of which he served as vice chairman; he also
6served on the House Legislative Services Council; and
7 WHEREAS, opting not to run for reelection after his second term in the legislature,
8Mr. Ater returned to the private sector; in 2001, he was named Secretary of State Fox
9McKeithen's first assistant; he then worked as first deputy in the Department of Insurance
10for a year before returning to the secretary of state's office; in 2005, following Mr.
11McKeithen's death, Mr. Ater served as secretary of state; and
12 WHEREAS, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita struck the state while Mr. Ater
13served in this office, and he was widely praised for his handling of complex election issues
14in the aftermath of these historic storms; and
15 WHEREAS, in 2009, Mr. Ater was deservingly recognized for his accomplishments
16and contributions as a public servant when he was inducted into the Louisiana Political
17Museum and Hall of Fame, and the following year, he retired from public service in order
18to focus on his primary passions of farming and family; and
19 WHEREAS, throughout the course of his life and career, Mr. Ater generously shared
20his time, talents, and expertise through his work with the Louisiana Tourism Development
21Commission, the Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, the Concordia Parish
22Farm Bureau, Catalyst Energy in Vidalia, the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement
23System, the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Second Injury Board, the International
24Association of Corporation Administrators, and the National Association of Secretaries of
25State; and
26 WHEREAS, Mr. Ater was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Edward and
27Lavonne Ater, and his sister, Kay Ater Goeggle; he is survived by his wife of thirty-two
28years, Susie Beard Ater; his children, Whitney Lauren Ater, Thomas Ater, and Elliott Ater;
29his grandsons, Soren Riker, Kai Riker, and Benton Ater; his granddaughters, Maya Fuentes
Page 2 of 3 HLS 17RS-3147 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 151
1and Graciela Fuentes; his siblings, Donald Ater, Lynette Ater Tanner, and Edward Ater; and
2numerous nieces and nephews; and
3 WHEREAS, the death of Mr. Ater has left a great void and created a genuine sense
4of sorrow in all who knew him, including the members of the House family, all of whom
5mourn the loss of this wonderful man who served his state and this institution so well; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Ater will never be forgotten, leaves a rich and unique legacy, and
7is greatly missed by the many citizens whose lives he touched.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
9Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
10death of Alan Ray "Al" Ater; does hereby recognize and record for posterity his notable
11accomplishments and singular contributions during his eight-year tenure as a member of the
12Louisiana House of Representatives and his distinguished service as secretary of state; and
13does hereby extend enduring appreciation for this wonderful man who will forever bring
14pride and honor to his family, his community, and his state.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
16to the family of Al Ater.
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 151 Original 2017 Regular Session Anders
Expresses condolences upon the death of Al Ater, who formerly served as a member of the
La. House of Representatives and as secretary of state.
Page 3 of 3