2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 45
BY SENATOR GATTI
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Matthew Burroughs.
WHEREAS, it is with a great and profound sadness that the Senate of the Legislature
of Louisiana has learned of the death of Matthew Burroughs on March 8, 2018, after a
lengthy illness at the age of thirty-four; and
WHEREAS, he was born on January 12, 1984, in Bossier City, Louisiana to David
and Carolyn Burroughs; and
WHEREAS, Matt was an honors graduate of Airline High School and the Louisiana
Scholars' College at Northwestern State University, and he earned his Juris Doctor from the
Paul M. Hebert School of Law at Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, he practiced law for six years working primarily with child advocacy
helping children find pathways to hope in their future; and
WHEREAS, after receiving a call to the ministry in the United Methodist Church,
he became a student at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University
where he was only one semester from completing his Master of Divinity; and
WHEREAS, Matt Burroughs was an exemplary and highly admired citizen of
Louisiana who worked tirelessly on a multitude of business, civic, political, and religious
causes throughout his short life; and
WHEREAS, Matt was blessed with many true and special friends who loved and
supported him; they often said "to know Matt was to love him"; he lived a life of honor and
dignity, always with a smile, a kind word, and a heart of compassion; and
WHEREAS, he was an Eagle Scout, a nationally ranked wheelchair tennis player,
he taught business law at Bossier Parish Community College, volunteered at the homeless
shelter, served as President of the Perkins Student Association, and was currently serving
as a pastoral intern at Grace Community United Methodist Church; and
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 45 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, two ministries Matt loved and supported were Common Ground, a food
and support ministry through Grace Community United Methodist Church in Shreveport,
and the Prayer Garden at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana; caring
and service to others was always Matt's focus and purpose in life; and
WHEREAS, because of his numerous accomplishments in public and private life,
the death of Matthew Burroughs has left a void in his community and his state and is a
tremendous loss to all his many friends and family; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication
of young men like Matthew Burroughs who used his considerable talents and resources to
serve others and who worked hard to make a difference not only for this generation but for
all of our future generations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby honor the life and service of Matthew Burroughs and acknowledges his
enormous contributions to the improvement of the status of his state, his city, and his
community, does hereby recognize him as an extraordinary man who will long be
remembered, and does hereby pay tribute to his remarkable young legacy, which will live
long in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Matthew Burroughs.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2