HLS 21RS-1739 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 60
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Doveal Austin Essex on the occasion of her one
hundredth birthday
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Doveal Austin Essex on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday.
3 WHEREAS, Naomi Doveal Austin was born on May 9, 1921, in Ponchatoula,
4Louisiana, to Johnie Austin and Katie Cousin Austin; she was christened at Tasker's Chapel
5African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Ponchatoula; and
6 WHEREAS, Doveal attended elementary school at Ponchatoula's Rosenwald School;
7she graduated from Kentwood Tangipahoa Parish Training School and enrolled at the
8formerly named Louisiana Negro Normal, now known as Grambling State University; she
9graduated in May 1945 with a bachelor of science degree in education and began her
10professional career as a teacher in Ponchatoula; she later earned a master's degree at the
11University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; and
12 WHEREAS, Doveal married Henry Leroy Essex on October 11, 1945; Mrs. Essex
13moved to Grambling to take a position at Grambling's Demonstration School where she
14taught until 1953; the Essex family increased with the birth of two daughters, Constant
15Elizabeth and Sylvia Marie; and
16 WHEREAS, the Essex family moved to Baton Rouge where Doveal worked as an
17elementary school teacher until she accepted a position at Southern University's College of
18Education; she worked at Southern University until her retirement, in 1976, after thirty years
19of dedicated service; and
20 WHEREAS, today, Mrs. Essex is a member of First Presbyterian Church of
21Scotlandville where she serves as a Sunday School teacher and served as a past president of
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HR NO. 60
1the Women of the Church; she also volunteers with Red Cross and Meals on Wheels; she is
2a docent and member of the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum Board and holds
3membership in the Gamma Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the
4Baton Rouge Chapter of The Links, Inc., and many other civic organizations; and
5 WHEREAS, Mrs. Essex is a recipient of the Silver Magnolia Award from the
6Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge for her community service; and
7 WHEREAS, Doveal Austin Essex is a true light in the Baton Rouge community; she
8has selflessly given to others throughout the course of her inspiring life, and she is most
9deserving of recognition.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
11Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Doveal Austin Essex on the occasion of her
12one hundredth birthday; does hereby recognize Mrs. Essex's devotion to her community; and
13does hereby extend sincere wishes that she continue to enjoy good health as a new member
14of the exclusive club of Louisiana's centenarians.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
16Doveal Austin Essex.
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 60 Original 2021 Regular Session Carpenter
Commends Doveal Austin Essex on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
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