2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 147
BY SENATORS ALARIO, ALLAIN, BARROW, BISHOP, BOUDREAUX, CARTER,
CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE, ERDEY,
FANNIN, GATTI, HENSGENS, HEWITT, JOHNS, LAFLEUR,
LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILKOVICH, MILLS,
MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, PETERSON, PRICE,
RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To recognize and highly commend Senator Conrad Appel for his years of dedicated and
distinguished service to the Senate of Louisiana, the people of the parishes of
Jefferson and Orleans (District 9), and the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Conrad Appel received a degree in electrical engineering from
Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, in 1973; and
WHEREAS, while Senator Appel has numerous business endeavors, his primary
focus is serving as president of Construction South, Inc., a family business that specializes
in industrial and commercial general construction projects; and
WHEREAS, Conrad Appel has long been involved in promoting local and regional
economic development initiatives, he also supports a variety of civic and philanthropic
activities; and
WHEREAS, when the District 9 Senate seat became vacant, Conrad Appel, with the
support of his wife Carol and his children, Connor and Whitney, decided to take a leap of
faith and run for office, knowing that to be in a position to make a difference, you have to
have a seat at the table; and
WHEREAS, Senator Appel was first elected in 2008 in a special election to fill the
mostly unexpired term of his predecessor, and was easily reelected for a second and third
term of office; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the Senate, Senator Conrad Appel served with
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commitment and distinction on many committees including the Senate Committee on
Education, serving as chairman from 2012-2016, the Senate Committee on Environmental
Quality, serving as vice chairman from 2016-2020, the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Consumer Protection, and International Affairs, the Senate Committee on Judiciary A, the
Senate Committee on Judiciary C, serving as vice chairman from 2009-2012, the Senate
Committee on Retirement, the Senate Select Committee on Vocational-Technical Education,
the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, the Senate Committee on Finance, the
Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital
Outlay; and
WHEREAS, while serving as chairman of the Senate Committee on Education,
Senator Appel authored major K-12 reform legislation to strengthen the school and district
accountability system, revamp the teacher evaluation and tenure process, mandate that
teachers and other educational employees be compensated based on performance versus
years of service, revise the textbook review and adoption process, and create the Early
Childhood Care and Education Network; and
WHEREAS, understanding the critical need to provide greatly needed infrastructure
to increase the availability and use of technology in public elementary schools, Senator
Appel passed legislation establishing the office of instructional technology in the state
Department of Education, requiring the establishment of a statewide educational technology
plan, submission of an annual school technology report, and creating the Technology
Strategy Task Force, which he chaired; and
WHEREAS, Senator Appel also authored notable legislation to streamline, reduce
duplication of programs, and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of postsecondary
education, including the development of a common application for postsecondary
institutions, the revision of the master plan for postsecondary education, and development
and implementation of an outcomes-based funding formula for postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, understanding that a healthy business climate is essential to a dynamic
state economy, Senator Appel authored and supported numerous pieces of legislation to
reduce unnecessary regulation and other impediments to the state's business and industry
sector; and
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WHEREAS, Senator Appel's business and economic development experience led
him to look beyond the state's borders and develop a vision to create and promote initiatives
to increase international trade and authored legislation creating the Louisiana International
Commerce Initiative and the Task Force on Shipping, Economic Development, and Trade
to develop a strategic plan for international trade; and
WHEREAS, Senator Conrad Appel worked diligently to improve the quality of life
for all Louisiana citizens, he was selfless in his pursuit of the common good, with no thought
of who received the credit; all that mattered was the that goal was accomplished.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Senator Conrad Appel for his years of dedicated and distinguished
service in the Senate of Louisiana, the people of the parishes of Jefferson and Orleans
(District 9), and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable Conrad Appel.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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