ENROLLED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 88
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Joe Arthur Sturges for forty-five years of service as a Claiborne Parish police
juror and his many other accomplishments and to recognize May 9, 2018, as Joe
Arthur Sturges Day in Claiborne Parish.
WHEREAS, Joe A. Sturges was married to the late Rosa Brown Sturges for forty-
nine years; he is the proud father of Arthur, Rosalind, Jerome, and Diane; he has eleven
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Joe A. served in the U.S. Army for two years; he attended Wiley
College in Marshall, Texas, and Grambling College (now known as Grambling State
University) in Grambling, Louisiana, where he played football for the legendary Coach
Eddie Robinson; and
WHEREAS, for thirty-two years, Joe A. was a school bus driver for the Claiborne
Parish School Board; he also coached the Woodson High School football team in
Haynesville, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he was the first African American police officer in Haynesville, where
he served for sixteen years; and
WHEREAS, Joe A. is an active member of the Hatter Chapel Freewill Baptist
Church of Haynesville where he serves as deacon, trustee, Sunday school superintendent,
and adult choir member; he is also an active member of the Louisiana Freewill Baptist
Annual Conference, serving on the finance committee and as conference superintendent of
Sunday school; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sturges has been a Claiborne Parish police juror since 1973; during
his forty-five year tenure on the jury, he has served in numerous capacities; currently he
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serves as chairman of the Claims Committee and as a member of the Building and Grounds
Committee and the Personnel Committee; and
WHEREAS, Joe Arthur Sturges deserves recognition for service to his community
in so many ways and for so many years; the life and legacy of Joe Arthur Sturges hold a
special place in the hearts of many residents of Claiborne Parish and the state of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in honor and recognition of Joe Arthur
Sturges, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby proclaim
May 9, 2018, as Joe Arthur Sturges Day in Claiborne Parish; does hereby commend Joe
Arthur Sturges for forty-five years of service as a Claiborne Parish police juror and his many
other accomplishments; and does hereby record for posterity his years of loyal and dedicated
service to the citizens of Claiborne Parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Joe Arthur Sturges.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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