HLS 21RS-344 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 44
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of William Thomas "Bill" Bergeron
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of William
3 Thomas "Bill" Bergeron.
4 WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and regret that the House of Representatives
5has learned of the death, on February 2, 2021, of William Thomas "Bill" Bergeron; and
6 WHEREAS, William Thomas Bergeron was born on August 12, 1947, to Roland
7Joseph Bergeron, Jr., and Helen Pitts Torres Bergeron in St. Bernard, Louisiana; he was a
8graduate of St. Bernard High School; and
9 WHEREAS, after high school, Bill worked at his father's company, Bergeron
10Machine Shop, Inc.; at twenty-three years old, he successfully negotiated a bid to build New
11Orleans's iconic Steamboat Natchez; this project created nearly one hundred new jobs and
12opened the door for the construction of both a new fabrication yard in Plaquemines Parish
13and a dry dock along the Mississippi River; and
14 WHEREAS, Mr. Bergeron and his brothers helped grow their small machine and
15fabrication shop into an international marine services and manufacturing operation known
16as Bergeron Industries, Inc.; among many other accomplishments, the company secured the
17largest reported inland river barge contract in United States maritime history; and
18 WHEREAS, Mr. Bergeron was also an active member of the maritime and civic
19communities; he served as chairman of the board of commissioners of the Port of New
20Orleans, and most recently he served as president of the board of commissioners of
21St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District; he was also involved in numerous
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HR NO. 44
1associations, including the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the New Orleans Board of
2Trade, and The World Trade Center; and
3 WHEREAS, Mr. Bergeron received numerous awards for his many contributions to
4the Louisiana maritime industry, including the C. Alvin Bertel Award, the Governor's
5Lantern Award from Governor Dave Treen, and special recognition from former Alabama
6governor, Fob James, for overseeing the construction of the most modern barge-building
7plant in the United States; and
8 WHEREAS, Mr. Bergeron was a parishioner of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
9Catholic Church in New Orleans and served on the church's pastoral council; and
10 WHEREAS, Mr. Bergeron will be best remembered for his contributions to the
11maritime industry and for his infectious personality; he was a humble man who displayed
12an unwavering commitment to his family and friends; and
13 WHEREAS, William Thomas "Bill" Bergeron leaves to cherish his memory his
14beloved wife, Mary "Joyce" Holcombe Bergeron; his daughter, Tiffany Bergeron Cook, and
15her husband Brian; his grandchildren, William "Wil" Scott Cook and Emily Taylor Cook;
16his brothers, Roland Joseph "Jady" Bergeron, III, and his wife Linda, and Todd Allen
17Bergeron, and his wife Cheryl; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family
18members and friends; he will be deeply missed, but his legacy will certainly not be forgotten.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
20Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of William
21Thomas "Bill" Bergeron; does hereby acknowledge Mr. Bergeron's incredible contributions
22to the Louisiana maritime industry and the health of the Louisiana economy; and does
23hereby extend sincere hopes and wishes that his family find comfort during this difficult
24time.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
26family of William Thomas Bergeron.
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HR NO. 44
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 44 Original 2021 Regular Session Garofalo
Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of William T. "Bill"
Bergeron.
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