2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 187
BY SENATORS ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BISHOP, BOUDREAUX,
CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE,
ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI, HENSGENS, HEWITT, JOHNS,
LAFLEUR, LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU, MILKOVICH, MILLS,
MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, PETERSON, PRICE,
RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Honorable Daniel R. "Danny" Martiny on his distinguished public service
to the people of this state as a member of the Legislature of Louisiana and
particularly to the citizens of Senate District No. 10.
WHEREAS, Danny Martiny is a born leader, and because of his deep-rooted faith
that can be evidenced daily, he is successful in enacting meaningful public policy for the
benefit of all Louisianans; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School class of 1969, Senator
Martiny went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree from Louisiana State University and
a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Senator Martiny has practiced law since 1976, including eighteen years
as an assistant parish attorney for Jefferson Parish; and
WHEREAS, while in law school, he married his longtime sweetheart, the former
Maureen "Nina" McCarthy; their family expanded with the additions of their three sons,
Ryan, Jeffrey, and Steven; and continues to expand with the addition of their daughters-in-
law, Catherine, Amanda, and Peyton; and grandchildren, Miles and Jack; and
WHEREAS, Senator Martiny's first venture into public service came with his victory
in a special election in 1994 to represent the people of District No. 79 in the Louisiana House
of Representatives; while he had opposition for his election to his first full-term, he ran
unopposed for reelection in 1999 and 2003; and
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WHEREAS, during his tenure in the House of Representatives, Senator Martiny
emerged as a leader in legislation regarding criminal justice reform, particularly juvenile
justice and Louisiana's indigent defense system, and also for legislation relative to court
sessions during times of a disaster or emergency when the courthouse is unaccessible; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his efforts, he was named a recipient of the 2007
President's Award from the Louisiana State Bar Association and the 2007 Public Defender's
Gideon Award from the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and he also
received a resolution of appreciation from the New Orleans Bar Association, among many
other awards and honors; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, Senator Martiny ran for Senate District No. 10 and similar to
his experience for his House seat, he was elected against opposition in 2007, but ran
unopposed for his reelections in 2011 and 2015; and
WHEREAS, Senator Martiny is one of a select few members who have spent their
entire career in the Senate as a chairman, under both Republican and Democrat
administrations and two different Senate presidents; specifically, he served as the chairman
of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B in his first term and as chairman of the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs in his second and
third terms; and
WHEREAS, he also served as a member of the Senate committees on Judiciary A,
Labor and Industrial Relations, and Local and Municipal Affairs, and he was appointed by
the Senate President to be parliamentarian of the Senate in his last two terms; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the Senate, he has continued his role as a leader in
criminal justice reform, considered by many of his colleagues to be the voice of reason in
balancing public safety and the serious problem with inmate overcrowding and the cost of
incarceration; and
WHEREAS, while he authored many instruments toughening criminal sentences and
holding offenders accountable, he also authored targeted instruments based on data-driven
analysis that increased opportunities for probation and parole eligibility and reinvested
savings in evidence-based strategies to decrease crime and strengthen neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, he has also become known as a strong advocate for consumer and small
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business concerns; he diligently works to find innovative solutions to address the root of a
problem without causing unintended consequences and was honored for his work with the
Champion of Small Business Award from the National Coalition for Capital which is given
to individuals demonstrating leadership in supporting policies and initiatives designed to
promote access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those in
economically distressed communities; and
WHEREAS, Senator Martiny is most proud of his advocacy: on behalf of motor
carriers and contractors to prohibit the practice of being required to sign indemnity
agreements for insurance coverage for any damages over which the motor carrier or
contractor has no control and would otherwise have no liability; on behalf of adoptees
regarding their biological parents; and on behalf of levee districts for the right to pursue a
cause of action for negligent work within the coastal zone relative to a state or federal
permit; and
WHEREAS, for the people of Senate District No. 10, he has gotten the support of his
colleagues to approve funding for the parish line pumping stations, the Jefferson Performing
Arts Center, GARVEE bonds for the flyover ramp to the Louis Armstrong International
Airport, and tax-free bonds for the building of the new high school for the Kenner Discovery
Health Sciences Academy, among many other projects; and
WHEREAS, known by colleagues and Senate staff for his leadership in hospitality
in the later days of session, his commitment to the notion that "pasta is a vegetable", and his
insight into the phrase "with all due respect", Danny's quick wit and sense of humor has
diffused many spirited debates, settled the nerves of witnesses before his committees, made
him the perfect grand marshal of the Irish-Italian Parade and the Metairie Road St. Patrick's
Day Parade, and as his staff said, "makes him fun to just hang out with"; and
WHEREAS, Senator Martiny, as House and now Senate Chair of the Legislative
Republican Delegation, has been one of the primary organizers of their annual Elephant
Stomp event for most of its thirty-five year history and has been rumored to take the longest
divot of any legislator at the golf tournament and to shut down the gala event with his
rendition, many times with his "House of Blues" pals, of "Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky,
Get Loose" originally recorded by Teddy Pendergrass … although this is just a rumor; and
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WHEREAS, as Senator Martiny moves forward to the next chapter of his life, he
leaves behind a distinct impression on his colleagues, legislative staff, and stakeholders of
a man devoted to his family and his faith that he demonstrates daily in his words, in his
actions, and in the manner in which he shows respect and decency to all who crossed his
path; and
WHEREAS, it is the level of respect and decency he routinely shows toward others
that makes him a mentor to his colleagues and earns him the admiration of legislative staff
as it elevates the public debate and allows him to develop the diverse relationships necessary
to accomplish sweeping public policy changes, making a positive difference for all
Louisianans.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Senator Daniel R. Martiny and does hereby offer its gratitude for his
exceptional contributions as a member of the legislature, particularly during his incumbency
with the Senate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby extend to Senator Martiny its sincere wishes for success and happiness in all his
future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Senator Danny Martiny.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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