HLS 21RS-3396 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 144
BY REPRESENTATIVES DUPLESSIS, BEAULLIEU, EDMONDS, EMERSON,
HUGHES, AND PIERRE
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Earl Michael Willis
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana
3 upon the death of Earl Michael Willis.
4 WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
5Representatives has learned of the untimely passing, on May 16, 2021, of Earl Michael
6Willis; and
7 WHEREAS, Earl Michael Willis was born on May 29, 1993, in Baton Rouge and
8was the beloved son of Earl and Cristal Willis; he grew up in the town of Brusly, Louisiana;
9and
10 WHEREAS, Michael attended Holy Family School from kindergarten until eighth
11grade and was a graduate of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge; and
12 WHEREAS, Michael developed a strong connection to God during his formative
13years, and his Christian faith and values were an important aspect of his daily life; his faith
14was solidified through his close friendship with Father Michael Allelo; and
15 WHEREAS, when Michael was in middle school, his sister, Rachael Lynn, was
16diagnosed with cancer, and when she was just twenty-four years old, she passed away; from
17that point on, Michael's life was dedicated to his sister's memory; and
18 WHEREAS, Michael and his family participated in many Light the Night events,
19which were organized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; more recently, Michael and
20his wife, Megan, established a nonprofit foundation named "Running for Rachael" in honor
21of his sister; and
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HR NO. 144
1 WHEREAS, Michael was passionate about advocacy; he developed this love while
2working as a high schooler at River Road Day Care in Port Allen, and his entire adulthood
3was devoted to advocating for causes that were important to him; and
4 WHEREAS, during the summer of 2014, Michael worked as an intern in the
5Washington, D.C., office of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; he also worked
6as an intern for Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy; and
7 WHEREAS, at age twenty, Michael became a legislative assistant to Cindy Bishop
8of Checkmate Strategies, and upon his graduation from Louisiana State University, he
9became the director of business development for the association management and lobbying
10firm; and
11 WHEREAS, Michael graduated from Louisiana State University in May 2015 with
12a bachelor of science degree in political science; while at LSU, he was an active member of
13the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity; and
14 WHEREAS, from September 2017 until January 2020, Michael served as the South
15Louisiana field representative for Congressman Ralph Abraham; and
16 WHEREAS, as vice president of policy for The Center for Development and
17Learning, Michael led the center's "Literacy and Economic Development" summit and
18planned and led a highly successful "Literacy Day at the Capitol"; and
19 WHEREAS, Michael married the love of his life, Megan Voda, on April 17, 2020;
20Michael possessed an incomparable measure of love and devotion for his wife, his parents,
21and all of his family; sharing quality time with them was always atop his list of priorities;
22and
23 WHEREAS, Michael is survived by his wife, Megan; parents, Earl and Cristal
24Willis; brother, Nicholas Boudreaux; nephews, Noah and Nicholas Boudreaux; mother- and
25father-in-law, Cris and Tim Voda; sister-in-law, Katie Voda; his honorary nephews Beau
26Seymour and Harrison Danna, his honorary nieces Lilly Seymour and Caroline Danna, and
27a host of aunts, uncles, extended family, and friends; and
28 WHEREAS, Michael Willis was a truly loving and inspiring individual who always
29ensured that those around him felt loved, valued, and appreciated; he will be deeply missed,
30but his memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
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HR NO. 144
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
2Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Earl
3Michael Willis; does hereby recognize Michael's truly inspiring twenty-seven years of life;
4and does hereby extend sincere wishes that his family, friends, and loved ones find comfort
5during this difficult time.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
7family of Earl Michael Willis.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 144 Original 2021 Regular Session Duplessis
Expresses the condolences of the La. House of Representatives on the death of Earl Michael
Willis.
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