ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 144
BY REPRESENTATIVES DUPLESSIS, BEAULLIEU, EDMONDS, EMERSON,
HUGHES, AND PIERRE
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana
upon the death of Earl Michael Willis.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives has learned of the untimely passing, on May 16, 2021, of Earl Michael
Willis; and
WHEREAS, Earl Michael Willis was born on May 29, 1993, in Baton Rouge and
was the beloved son of Earl and Cristal Willis; he grew up in the town of Brusly, Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS, Michael attended Holy Family School from kindergarten until eighth
grade and was a graduate of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, Michael developed a strong connection to God during his formative
years, and his Christian faith and values were an important aspect of his daily life; his faith
was solidified through his close friendship with Father Michael Allelo; and
WHEREAS, when Michael was in middle school, his sister, Rachael Lynn, was
diagnosed with cancer, and when she was just twenty-four years old, she passed away; from
that point on, Michael's life was dedicated to his sister's memory; and
WHEREAS, Michael and his family participated in many Light the Night events,
which were organized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; more recently, Michael and
his wife, Megan, established a nonprofit foundation named "Running for Rachael" in honor
of his sister; and
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WHEREAS, Michael was passionate about advocacy; he developed this love while
working as a high schooler at River Road Day Care in Port Allen, and his entire adulthood
was devoted to advocating for causes that were important to him; and
WHEREAS, during the summer of 2014, Michael worked as an intern in the
Washington, D.C., office of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; he also worked
as an intern for Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy; and
WHEREAS, at age twenty, Michael became a legislative assistant to Cindy Bishop
of Checkmate Strategies, and upon his graduation from Louisiana State University, he
became the director of business development for the association management and lobbying
firm; and
WHEREAS, Michael graduated from Louisiana State University in May 2015 with
a bachelor of science degree in political science; while at LSU, he was an active member of
the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, from September 2017 until January 2020, Michael served as the South
Louisiana field representative for Congressman Ralph Abraham; and
WHEREAS, as vice president of policy for The Center for Development and
Learning, Michael led the center's "Literacy and Economic Development" summit and
planned and led a highly successful "Literacy Day at the Capitol"; and
WHEREAS, Michael married the love of his life, Megan Voda, on April 17, 2020;
Michael possessed an incomparable measure of love and devotion for his wife, his parents,
and all of his family; sharing quality time with them was always atop his list of priorities;
and
WHEREAS, Michael is survived by his wife, Megan; parents, Earl and Cristal
Willis; brother, Nicholas Boudreaux; nephews, Noah and Nicholas Boudreaux; mother- and
father-in-law, Cris and Tim Voda; sister-in-law, Katie Voda; his honorary nephews Beau
Seymour and Harrison Danna, his honorary nieces Lilly Seymour and Caroline Danna, and
a host of aunts, uncles, extended family, and friends; and
WHEREAS, Michael Willis was a truly loving and inspiring individual who always
ensured that those around him felt loved, valued, and appreciated; he will be deeply missed,
but his memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Earl
Michael Willis; does hereby recognize Michael's truly inspiring twenty-seven years of life;
and does hereby extend sincere wishes that his family, friends, and loved ones find comfort
during this difficult time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Earl Michael Willis.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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