2020 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY SENATORS BERNARD, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BARROW, BOUDREAUX, BOUIE,
CARTER, CATHEY, CLOUD, CONNICK, CORTEZ, FESI, FIELDS,
FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY, HENSGENS, HEWITT, JACKSON, JOHNS,
LAMBERT, LUNEAU, MCMATH, MILLIGAN, FRED MILLS,
ROBERT MILLS, MIZELL, MORRIS, PEACOCK, PETERSON, POPE,
PRICE, REESE, SMITH, TALBOT, TARVER, WARD, WHITE AND
WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
tragic deaths of Pauline and Philip Ackel of Natchitoches, Louisiana, an inseparable
couple who died together in a plane crash with their good friends, Missy and
Kenneth Hix of Lafayette, Louisiana, near Hilltop Lakes, Texas, on September 20,
2020, a devastating loss for families, friends, and the communities of both couples.
WHEREAS, Pauline Soileau Ackel was born August 6, 1960, in Opelousas,
Louisiana, to Rayburn and Barbara Robin Soileau, and she graduated from Amy Bradford
Ware High School in Opelousas; and
WHEREAS, following her graduation from high school, Pauline Soileau enrolled in
Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches where she earned a bachelor of
science degree in nursing, was a member of Tri-Sigma social sorority, and was selected as
a member of the NSU homecoming court; and
WHEREAS, having earned her degree at NSU, Pauline went on to Texas Wesleyan
University in Dallas, Texas, to train as a nurse anesthetist, earning a masters degree in health
science, and a certificate as a certified registered nurse anesthetist; and
WHEREAS, Pauline Soileau returned to Louisiana, married the love of her life and
her college love, Philip Ackel and the pair settled into the next chapter of their lives in
Natchitoches; and
WHEREAS, while raising their family, Pauline Ackel served as a registered nurse
for the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in Natchitoches and for twenty
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years she practiced as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Rapides General Hospital in
Alexandria, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Philip Ackel was born on July 11, 1961, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to
John Latief and Melba Masson Ackel, he was raised in Natchitoches and graduated from
St. Mary's High School in the class of 1979; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ackel graduated from Northwestern State University in
Natchitoches, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, earning a bachelor of
science degree in business, then joining his parents in the family business, Ackel Brothers
Store; and
WHEREAS, Philip Ackel was active in the Jaycees in Natchitoches and remained
working at Ackel Brothers until 1994 when he began a twenty-five year career with the
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a job he held at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, Philip Ackel continued a legacy begun by his father and his uncle as a
member of a local men's group known as The Agitators; and
WHEREAS, Pauline and Philip Ackel raised and adored their two children, daughter
Ashli, and son, Abraham Philip, and despite their busy work and civic lives, their faith and
family were always their top priority and the center of their lives; and
WHEREAS, the Ackels were famous for their hospitality, perhaps learned from
Philip's parents whose home was always open to all during the Natchitoches Christmas
Festival, an annual affair; and
WHEREAS, Philip Ackel's rich Lebanese heritage was a source of great pride and
inspired much of his cooking, but love for friends and family underlay the hospitality offered
in their home where Pauline was the perfect hostess to all; and
WHEREAS, Pauline and Philip were active in both the Mystic Krewe of St. Denis
and the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians who hold their annual ball and festivities in
Washington, D.C., showcasing the best of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Pauline and Philip Ackel lived a life together of devout faith and
commitment to their church and religion and the aspect of their lives together as Catholics
was the foundation of their life together and their untiring efforts on behalf of St. Mary's
School were a labor of love for both of them and was a strong aspect of their life as a couple.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express the sincere condolences upon the tragic deaths of Pauline and Philip
Ackel of Natchitoches, Louisiana, an inseparable couple who died together in a plane crash
near Hilltop Lakes, Texas, on September 20, 2020, a devastating loss for family, friends, and
the community of Natchitoches, Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Ashli
Ackel Plemmons and Abraham Philip Ackel.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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