2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 24
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Patrick Fontenot upon his induction into the St. Landry
Parish Democratic Party Hall of Fame.
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot was born to Dudley and Melba Fontenot on March 17,
1946, in Opelousas, Louisiana, where he has lived for most of his life; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot graduated from Holy Ghost School in Opelousas in
1963, studied at Southern University in 1963 and 1964, and furthered his education in
business administration at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1968 and 1969;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fontenot served in the United States Air Force from 1964 through
1968, and was honorably discharged with a rank of sergeant; and
WHEREAS, while living in New Orleans from 1968 through 1981, Mr. Fontenot
married his first wife with whom he has three children, Chris, Michelle, and Rachael, and
in 1977 he married wife Patricia, with whom he has two children, Marcelle and Christine;
and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot's life in the world of business and commerce in both
Opelousas and New Orleans began in 1966; and
WHEREAS, during the time period from 1969 until 1981, Mr. Fontenot was a
cashier for Timesaver, Incorporated and held several positions with Delta Airlines in New
Orleans; serving in the areas of ramp, fuel, passenger, and control agent; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot returned to Opelousas with his family and began his
career with Williams Progressive Life and Accident Insurance Company as debit agent, and
in a mere three years, was given additional responsibilities at the company; and
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WHEREAS, in 1984, Mr. Fontenot was named district manager for Williams
Progressive, followed by another promotion to the position of executive vice president of
the company in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot's dedication to Williams Progressive and his
extraordinary abilities propelled him to the positions of chief executive officer and president
of the company in 1999, a mere eighteen years after beginning his employment; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fontenot presently serves as chief executive officer and sits on the
board of directors of Williams Progressive Life and Accident Insurance Company; and
WHEREAS, during his active business career in Opelousas, Patrick Fontenot has
served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Opelousas/St. Landry Chamber
of Commerce, First Federal Savings and Loan of Opelousas, Teche Federal Savings Bank,
and has served as chairman of the board of United Bank and Trust Company of New
Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fontenot has been appointed to several prestigious positions,
including the Southern University Board of Supervisors from 1990 through 1997, serving
as board chair in 1994 and 1995 and the Louisiana Insurers conference board for ten years,
serving two years as chairman; and
WHEREAS, during Patrick Fontenot's lengthy career in public service he has been
appointed to numerous positions of consequence, many as a citizen working on government
issues and including the following: the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission; the
Opelousas Rural Economic and Community Development Loan committee; the Acadiana
Railroad Development District; the Solid Waste Recycling committee for St. Landry and
Evangeline Parishes; the Opelousas Citizen Advisory committee; the Opelousas Industrial
Inducement committee; and the Economic Development Task Force of the Louisiana chapter
of the National Conference of Black Mayors; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot was a leader in many of these endeavors, including
having served as the president of Zydeco Housing, a nonprofit organization that provides
decent, safe, and affordable homes for very low to moderate income families; as an interim
member of the St. Landry Parish School Board; and as chairman of the Opelousas Parks and
Recreation Commission baseball committee; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Fontenot maintained membership in Phi Beta Sigma, Rotary
International, and Frontiers International; and
WHEREAS, with a lifetime of service to family, work, and community, Patrick
Fontenot has served tirelessly to improve his city and the entire Acadiana area and through
that lifetime of service, has earned the honor bestowed by the democratic party of St. Landry
Parish; 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 and whose impact has positively influenced the entire parish and 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 while promoting the unity of all,
leading his political party and displaying strong leadership throughout his career; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot has demonstrated a devotion to all of these principles
of the St. Landry Democratic Party with a lifetime of efforts in the legal arena, 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 Patrick Fontenot upon his induction into the St. Landry Parish
Democratic Party Hall of Fame.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Patrick Fontenot of Opelousas, Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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