2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 53
BY SENATORS 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, PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON, RISER,
GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE AND REPRESENTATIVES
ABRAHAM, ABRAMSON, AMEDEE, ANDERS, ARMES, BACALA,
BAGLEY, BAGNERIS, BARRAS, BERTHELOT, BILLIOT, BISHOP,
BOUIE, BROADWATER, CHAD BROWN, TERRY BROWN,
CARMODY, CARPENTER, GARY CARTER, ROBBY CARTER,
STEVE CARTER, CHANEY, CONNICK, COUSSAN, COX,
CROMER, DANAHAY, DAVIS, DEVILLIER, DWIGHT, EDMONDS,
EMERSON, FALCONER, FOIL, FRANKLIN, GAINES, GAROFALO,
GISCLAIR, GLOVER, GUINN, HALL, JIMMY HARRIS, LANCE
HARRIS, HAVARD, HAZEL, HENRY, HENSGENS, HILFERTY,
HILL, HODGES, HOFFMANN, HOLLIS, HORTON, HOWARD,
HUNTER, HUVAL, IVEY, JACKSON, JAMES, JEFFERSON,
JENKINS, JOHNSON, JONES, JORDAN, NANCY LANDRY, TERRY
LANDRY, LEBAS, LEGER, LEOPOLD, LYONS, MACK, MAGEE,
MARCELLE, MARINO, MCFARLAND, MIGUEZ, DUSTIN MILLER,
GREGORY MILLER, MORENO, JAY MORRIS, JIM MORRIS,
NORTON, PEARSON, PIERRE, POPE, PRICE, PUGH, PYLANT,
REYNOLDS, RICHARD, SCHEXNAYDER, SCHRODER,
SEABAUGH, SHADOIN, SIMON, SMITH, STAGNI, STEFANSKI,
STOKES, TALBOT, THIBAUT, THOMAS, WHITE AND ZERINGUE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of a beloved gentleman, renowned lobbyist, community activist, and former
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, the Honorable Ralph R. Miller,
and to celebrate a life well lived in service to the betterment of the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it was with deep remorse that the membership of the Legislature of
Louisiana had learned of the passing of a longtime colleague, Ralph Miller, on Thursday,
March 30, 2017, at the age of eighty-two; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Miller had the rare privilege to serve twenty-two years in the
House of Representatives from 1968 until 1980 and again from 1984 until 1992, representing
the voters of House District Fifty-six composed of the parishes of St. Charles, St. James, and
St. John the Baptist at that time; and
WHEREAS, Ralph was an affable gentleman blessed with a quick smile and a wry
sense of humor; he possessed an innate self-confidence, charisma, and a profound
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understanding of the complexities of issues affecting the populous of South Louisiana; and
who, through diligence and tenacity, led a fascinating life experiencing success in nearly
every endeavor; and
WHEREAS, when first elected to the House, Ralph Miller was among the young
movers and shakers who gave rise to the vanguard for change known as the "Young Turks";
leaders destined to become future elected officials who would contribute immeasurably to
the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state and local government; and
WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Norco, Ralph Miller embodied the best qualities
of a public servant; he held a genuine interest in the people he served and felt a personal
responsibility to represent all of his constituency with honesty and integrity; and
WHEREAS, born on April 27, 1934, to parents, Homer F. Miller and Emma Cambre
Miller; he graduated from Destrehan High School, from Louisiana State University with a
bachelor of science degree, and from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center with a juris doctor
degree; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miller was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United
States Army on two separate occasions and was honorably discharged both times; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the House, Ralph Miller was chairman of both the
House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the House Committee on
Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs; and
WHEREAS, his other legislative assignments included the House committees on
Commerce, Judiciary, Civil Law and Procedure, Transportation, the Legislative Services
Council, the Committee on Enrollment, and the Council of the Louisiana Law Institute; as
a legislator, he was diligent, trustworthy, consistent in his views, and the voice of moderation
who instinctively sought consensus among differing factions; and
WHEREAS, through his extraordinary talents of diplomacy and compromise, he
brought to fruition important legislation that included flood protection, tourism, and
preservation of the state's wilderness and ecological beauty; and
WHEREAS, his advocacy brought about preservation of the Labranche wetlands and
the placement of Bayou Labranche and Bayou Trepagnier under the protection of the
Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers system; and
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WHEREAS, throughout his time as a legislator and lobbyist, his political philosophy
embraced compromise, those give and take processes of representative democracy; he
provided invaluable leadership to the legislative process and it was made better by his active
participation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Miller served on many boards and commissions including Mid-
Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Public Affairs Research Council, the New Orleans
Chamber of Commerce, the Bureau of Governmental Research, the World Trade Center, the
Council for a Better Louisiana, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
(LABI); and
WHEREAS, Ralph was an exceptional individual, who received copious
acknowledgments and awards during his lifetime, far too numerous to count; and
WHEREAS, in his private career, Ralph Miller acted as vice president of State
Governmental Relations for Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. and held a similar position with
Crescent Technology, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, he had a deep devotion to the land, people, and history of St. Charles
Parish; he founded the River Road Historical Society and made vast contributions to restore
Destrehan Plantation to its former glory; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Miller is survived by his loving wife, Sue Cutrer Miller; two
sons, Ross and Greg; two daughters, Maria and Maureen; four grandchildren, four great
grandchildren, extended family, and many fond friends; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Miller embodied joie de vivre, that delight in being alive; he
filled a room with his presence; he embraced the elan of everything and everyone around
him; he had a generous heart and giving nature; he was known for his kindness and humor;
he was blessed with an abundance of determination and skill; he performed his public
service proudly and willingly; he extended courtesy to all; and he leaves a rich and unique
legacy of public service to his family, community, state, and nation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere condolences upon the passing of the Honorable Ralph R. Miller, lobbyist,
attorney, civic leader, and former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and
does hereby celebrate a life well lived in service to the betterment of this state.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express
sincere condolences to our friend and colleague, the Honorable Greg Miller of the Louisiana
House of Representatives on the loss of his father.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
widow, Sue Cutrer Miller.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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