2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 22
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Clifton Louis Lemelle Sr. upon the occasion of being named
to the St. Landry Parish Democratic Party Hall of Fame.
WHEREAS, Clifton Louis Lemelle Sr. was born in Iota, Louisiana, to the late Joseph
and Elena Lemelle on September 7, 1935, was educated in the public schools of Eunice, and
graduated from Charles Drew High School in 1955; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lemelle received his bachelor's degree from Grambling State
University in education and his master's degree and thirty additional graduate level classes
from Southern University; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. devoted thirty-six years of his life to the education
and the nurturing of the boys and girls of St. Landry Parish as a teacher, coach, and
administrator; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lemelle strives to embody his personal philosophy that states,
"Strong faith and integrity will enable one to meet the challenges of serving humanity", and
he leads by example, modeling this philosophy in his teaching career and his life in St.
Landry Parish; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. has lead a wide range of organizations throughout
his public life in St. Landry Parish and the Acadiana region, including: president of Child
Development Council of Acadiana, president of St. Landry Head Start program, president
of Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in Opelousas, executive secretary of the St.
Landry Parish Federal Credit Union, founder of St. Landry Parish Education Association,
past president of Black Men Make a Difference in Eunice, past commander of St. Landry
Bi-Racial Committee, and commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3786 and the
Seventh District; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. is the second and longest serving president of the
J. K. Haynes Foundation Legal Defense Fund, Inc. and Education Division, an entity that
works to champion the civil rights of individuals and groups primarily in St. Landry Parish;
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and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lemelle has held membership in many civic, civil rights, and
military organizations, including the Veterans' of Foreign Wars Post 3786, past member of
the Louisiana State Commission on the Education of Student Drop-outs, and past member
of the Louisiana State Commission on Teacher Certification and Evaluation; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. has received numerous awards and commendations,
including: St. Landry Parish School Board award for distinguished service, the Martin
Luther King Jr. Award presented by the city of Eunice by proclamation on "Clifton Lemelle
Day" in March 2003, African American Hall of Fame inductee, and the St. Landry branch
of NAUW's award for "Leading the Struggle against Racism"; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. has spoken to various organizations and educational
institutions across the state and the nation, and has conducted educational seminars on school
desegregation, racism in the workplace, and affirmative action; and
WHEREAS, true to his mission of serving his fellow man, Clifton Lemelle continues
to mentor young educators, youth of the community, and civil rights activists throughout
Louisiana always remaining true to his personal philosophy that "strong faith and integrity
will enable one to meet the challenges of serving humanity"; a mantra that Clifton Lemelle
has proven everyday to the people of St. Landry Parish and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. who was entrusted with the sacred flame of striving
for truth and justice in education, has honored that trust by keeping that flame burning
brightly through tumultuous times and has served his community, parish, state, and nation
with a strong faith and unwavering integrity; and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Democratic Parish Executive Committee annually names
persons of high ethical and moral character who have promoted the principles of
constitutional equality, personal liberty, economic opportunity, and government and fiscal
responsibility whose impact has positively influenced the entire parish and the state; and
WHEREAS, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, who is then considered to
be a member of the St. Landry Democratic Party Hall of Fame, is also a person who
recognizes and respects the diversity of all Americans and promotes the common unity of
all, leading his political party and displaying strong leadership throughout his career; and
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WHEREAS, Clifton Lemelle Sr. has demonstrated a devotion to all of these
principles of the St. Landry Democratic Party with a lifetime of efforts in the education and
legal arenas championing these principles that are so essential to the ideals of American
democracy.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Clifton Louis Lemelle Sr. upon the occasion of
being named to the St. Landry Parish Democratic Party Hall of Fame.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Clifton Louis Lemelle Sr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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