SLS 19RS-1658 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 125
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences on the death of Don Vallien.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of Don Anthony Vallien.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5 Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the passing of Don Anthony Vallien
6 on May 5, 2019, at his home in Opelousas, Louisiana, at the age of forty-four; and
7 WHEREAS, he was born on December 26, 1974, in Opelousas to the late John and
8 Gloria Vallien, attended Grambling State University and earned a degree in hospitality
9 management, and attended Remington College and earned a degree in electronic engineer
10 technician; and
11 WHEREAS, Don Vallien also graduated from Opelousas School of Cosmetology and
12 became a licensed barber, opening his barbershop/salon, City of Stylez, in 2007, in
13 Opelousas; and
14 WHEREAS, he had many talents that he shared with family, friends, and his
15 community; he was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, charm, and personality that
16 brought out the best in people; he was a generous, witty, and honest man who loved people
17 and was passionate about bringing awareness to sickle cell disease; and
18 WHEREAS, his dedication to making a difference in his community, state, and the
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1 world will continue to live through the work he did with Sickle Cell Awareness; and
2 WHEREAS, he was no stranger to legislators at the capital, where he lobbied for
3 legislation to be passed to legalize medicinal marijuana in support of those with chronic
4 illnesses; he also launched the Water Bottle Challenge that gained nationwide notoriety; and
5 WHEREAS, the documentary, "Sickle Cell Warrior" captured his battle with sickle
6 cell, kidney failure, and his "miracle" kidney transplant surgery, and he had guest appearance
7 roles in television shows, "Queen Sugar", "N.C.I.S New Orleans", and he can be seen in the
8 NETFLIX hit movie, "Highway Men"; and
9 WHEREAS, as a man of multiple talents, Don also held the title of "Master Craft
10 Barber", earning this title by creating unique and one of a kind hairstyles on young men in
11 and around the Opelousas community; and
12 WHEREAS, he was an active and dedicated member of the Holy Family Catholic
13 Church in Lawtell, Louisiana, was an active member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Council
14 40, and a former member of the Holy Family Church Choir, received the honor as 2015-16
15 Volunteer of the Year from Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia, Inc., and was also
16 inducted into the National Association of University Women Black History Hall of Fame
17 in 2016; and
18 WHEREAS, Don Vallien served as president of Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell,
19 Inc., of Acadiana and spearheaded sickle cell awareness walks in both Opelousas and
20 Lafayette; he also worked in collaboration with the St. Landry Parish Children and Youth
21 Services Planning Board for Sickle Cell Warrior Documentary Screening; and he worked
22 at Total Health Care Clinic as executive administrator; and
23 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents; and
24 WHEREAS, Don is survived by his loving and supportive wife, Alishia Richard
25 Vallien; son, Antonio Vallien; siblings, Angie Fields (Howard "Joe"), Lisa Moore (Ken),
26 Gina Readore (Manuel), and Tykee Jackson (Les); father- and mother-in-law, Lionel and
27 Gloria Richard; sister-in-law Daphne; and brother-in-law Isaac "Bo" Richard, as well as
28 nieces and nephews; and
29 WHEREAS, though Don Anthony Vallien was an astute businessman and
30 entrepreneur, the greatest role he cherished was that of loving husband to his wife, Alishia,
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1 and caring father (role model) to his son, Antonio, as he could be seen camping, fishing,
2 hunting, and teaching his son life skills that will serve him a lifetime; and
3 WHEREAS, Don Vallien leaves behind a host of family, friends, and people whose
4 lives have been impacted in some fashion by his compassion, and he leaves a legacy of work
5 for the sickle cell community as he always said, "It's not about me; it's about the sickle cell
6 warriors".
7 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
8 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Don Anthony
9 Vallien and does hereby recognize and record for posterity his distinguished career of
10 excellence and unyielding advocacy for sickle cell awareness.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
12 Alishia Richard Vallien.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 125 Original 2019 Regular Session Boudreaux
Expresses condolences upon the death of Don Anthony Vallien.
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