SLS 17RS-536 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 53
BY SENATOR ALARIO
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere condolences upon the passing of former legislator,
Ralph R. Miller.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 passing of a beloved gentleman, renowned lobbyist, community activist, and former
4 member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, the Honorable Ralph R. Miller,
5 and to celebrate a life well lived in service to the betterment of the state of Louisiana.
6 WHEREAS, it was with deep remorse that the membership of the Legislature of
7 Louisiana had learned of the passing of a longtime colleague, Ralph Miller, on Thursday,
8 March 30, 2017, at the age of eighty-two; and
9 WHEREAS, Ralph Miller had the rare privilege to serve twenty-two years in the
10 House of Representatives from 1968 until 1980 and again from 1984 until 1992, representing
11 the voters of House District Fifty-six composed of the parishes of St. Charles, St. James, and
12 St. John the Baptist at that time; and
13 WHEREAS, Ralph was an affable gentleman blessed with a quick smile and a wry
14 sense of humor; he possessed an innate self-confidence, charisma, and a profound
15 understanding of the complexities of issues affecting the populous of South Louisiana; and
16 who, through diligence and tenacity, led a fascinating life experiencing success in nearly
17 every endeavor; and
18 WHEREAS, when first elected to the House, Ralph Miller was among the young
Page 1 of 4 SCR NO. 53
SLS 17RS-536 ORIGINAL
1 movers and shakers who gave rise to the vanguard for change known as the "Young Turks";
2 leaders destined to become future elected officials who would contribute immeasurably to
3 the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state and local government; and
4 WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Norco, Ralph Miller embodied the best qualities
5 of a public servant; he held a genuine interest in the people he served and felt a personal
6 responsibility to represent all of his constituency with honesty and integrity; and
7 WHEREAS, born on April 27, 1934, to parents, Homer F. Miller and Emma Cambre
8 Miller; he graduated from Destrehan High School, from Louisiana State University with a
9 bachelor of science degree, and from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center with a juris doctor
10 degree; and
11 WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United
12 States Army on two separate occasions and was honorably discharged both times; and
13 WHEREAS, during his tenure in the House, Ralph Miller was chairman of both the
14 House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the House Committee on
15 Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs; and
16 WHEREAS, his other legislative assignments included the House committees on
17 Commerce, Judiciary, Civil Law and Procedure, Transportation, the Legislative Services
18 Council, the Committee on Enrollment, and the Council of the Louisiana Law Institute; as
19 a legislator, he was diligent, trustworthy, consistent in his views, and the voice of moderation
20 who instinctively sought consensus among differing factions; and
21 WHEREAS, through his extraordinary talents of diplomacy and compromise, he
22 brought to fruition important legislation that included flood protection, tourism, and
23 preservation of the state's wilderness and ecological beauty; and
24 WHEREAS, his advocacy brought about preservation of the Labranche wetlands and
25 the placement of Bayou Labranche and Bayou Trepagnier under the protection of the
26 Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers system; and
27 WHEREAS, throughout his time as a legislator and lobbyist, his political philosophy
28 embraced compromise, those give and take processes of representative democracy; he
29 provided invaluable leadership to the legislative process and it was made better by his active
30 participation; and
Page 2 of 4 SCR NO. 53
SLS 17RS-536 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Miller served on many boards and commissions including Mid-
2 Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Public Affairs Research Council, the New Orleans
3 Chamber of Commerce, the Bureau of Governmental Research, the World Trade Center, the
4 Council for a Better Louisiana, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
5 (LABI); and
6 WHEREAS, Ralph was an exceptional individual, who received copious
7 acknowledgments and awards during his lifetime, far too numerous to count; and
8 WHEREAS, in his private career, Ralph Miller acted as vice president of State
9 Governmental Relations for Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. and held a similar position with
10 Crescent Technology, Inc.; and
11 WHEREAS, he had a deep devotion to the land, people, and history of St. Charles
12 Parish; he founded the River Road Historical Society and made vast contributions to restore
13 Destrehan Plantation to its former glory; and
14 WHEREAS, Ralph Miller is survived by his loving wife, Sue Cutrer Miller; two
15 sons, Ross and Greg; two daughters, Maria and Maureen; four grandchildren, four great
16 grandchildren, extended family, and many fond friends; and
17 WHEREAS, Ralph Miller embodied joie de vivre, that delight in being alive; he
18 filled a room with his presence; he embraced the elan of everything and everyone around
19 him; he had a generous heart and giving nature; he was known for his kindness and humor;
20 he was blessed with an abundance of determination and skill; he performed his public
21 service proudly and willingly; he extended courtesy to all; and he leaves a rich and unique
22 legacy of public service to his family, community, state, and nation.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
24 express sincere condolences upon the passing of the Honorable Ralph R. Miller, lobbyist,
25 attorney, civic leader, and former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and
26 does hereby celebrate a life well lived in service to the betterment of this state.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express
28 sincere condolences to our friend and colleague, the Honorable Greg Miller of the Louisiana
29 House of Representatives on the loss of his father.
30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
Page 3 of 4 SCR NO. 53
SLS 17RS-536 ORIGINAL
1 widow, Sue Cutrer Miller.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 53 Original 2017 Regular Session Alario
Expresses condolences upon the death of former legislator and lobbyist Ralph R. Miller of
Norco.
Page 4 of 4