2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 123
BY SENATORS PEACOCK, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BISHOP,
BOUDREAUX, CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB,
CORTEZ, DONAHUE, ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI, HEWITT, JOHNS,
LAFLEUR, LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILKOVICH,
MILLS, MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PERRY, PETERSON,
RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE AND REPRESENTATIVES
STEVE CARTER, DAVIS, EDMONDS, FOIL, HOFFMANN AND
JAMES
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commemorate the lifetime achievements of publisher and entrepreneur,
Robert G. "Bob" Claitor Sr.
WHEREAS, Robert G. Claitor Sr. was a dynamo of free enterprise, fueled by a
tenacity to succeed and a willingness to work hard; and
WHEREAS, Bob created a diverse palette of business enterprises that included the
expansion of Claitor's Bookstore and commercial real estate development; and
WHEREAS, Robert Gregory Claitor was born into the family of Otto and Mabel
Claitor on September 20, 1926; and
WHEREAS, he was a voracious reader, an exceptional student athlete at Catholic
High School, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout; and
WHEREAS, after graduation from high school in 1943, he attended the United States
Naval Academy as a midshipman and graduated in 1948 as a commissioned officer, an
ensign in the United States Navy, with a bachelor of science degree; and
WHEREAS, while at the Naval Academy, Bob was a stellar athlete whose height
advantage and athletic ability made him a standout on the basketball and water polo
teams; and
WHEREAS, he served his country during the Korean Conflict and was honorably
discharged having achieved the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade); and
WHEREAS, upon his return home, he joined his parents in the family business,
Claitor's Bookstore, and expanded its publishing operations to include the publication of
documents from the United States Government Printing Office, Louisiana law books,
graduate student dissertations, and numerous federal regulations; and
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WHEREAS, Bob Claitor was essential in the publication of titles by fiction and
nonfiction writers who authored books on cooking, local history, culture, gardening, and
sports; and
WHEREAS, Claitor's Bookstore was the largest privately-owned bookstore of its
kind in Baton Rouge for over five decades until national chains overtook the market and the
bookstore closed its operations, however, Claitor's Law Books and Publishing Division is
still going strong today; and
WHEREAS, his commercial real estate ventures included the development of
Acadian-Perkins Plaza in Baton Rouge and Marina del Ray in Madisonville; and
WHEREAS, he married Nancy McLellan and together they celebrated many years
of love and devotion and their union was blessed by the birth of four sons, James, Robert Jr,
Daniel, and Jon; and
WHEREAS, several nonprofit organizations benefitted from his guidance with
membership in the Rotary Club and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, and as
a parishioner at St. Aloysius Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Bob Claitor was an extraordinary man of copious achievements, and his
public persona was well-tempered by his thoughtful contemplation and personal inclination
toward solitude and quiet reflection; and
WHEREAS, he survived his wife, Nancy, and is survived by his sons, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, extended family, and cherished friends; and
WHEREAS, Bob Claitor was a man of great intellect, a caring individual who has
left an indelible mark on the Baton Rouge community, who envisioned economic potential
and opportunity, and who met the challenges of life head-on with zeal and candor tempered
with immense love of family and compassion for his fellow man.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
celebrate the extraordinary life of Robert G. Claitor Sr. and does hereby commend the rich
legacy that he leaves to his community, state, and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express
admiration for the family and friends of this great man and especially for his son, our friend
and colleague, Senator Dan Claitor.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Robert G. "Bob" Claitor Sr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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