SLS 21RS-109 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 29
BY SENATOR JOHNS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Joseph "Rock" Palermo III.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of
3 Joseph "Rock" Palermo III, to acknowledge his lifelong commitment to his family
4 and community, and to note his many contributions made on behalf of the state of
5 Louisiana.
6 WHEREAS, it is with deep remorse that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
7 the death of attorney Joseph "Rock" Palermo III of Lake Charles, who passed away on
8 Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at the age of fifty-five; and
9 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo graduated from Louisiana State University with a
10 bachelor's degree in 1987 and a law degree in 1992 where he was selected to the Moot Court
11 Board; and
12 WHEREAS, he was a well-respected attorney and member of the Louisiana State Bar
13 Association; a partner in the law firm of Veron, Bice, Palermo & Wilson in Lake Charles;
14 a founding member of the Judge Albert Tate Inn of Court; a member of the LSU Law Center
15 Board of Trustees; a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates; a member of the
16 Louisiana Association for Justice; and a member of the LSU Law Center Trial Advocacy
17 faculty; and
18 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo delighted in all things involving his family; and
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SLS 21RS-109 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, he was an avid scuba diver and instructor, and it was during a scuba
2 class he met the love of his life, Kim, and their shared love for diving was passed onto their
3 family; and
4 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo loved being a father to his three children and could not
5 have been prouder of his children with whom he enjoyed spending every minute, from
6 discussing politics and world travel with Rachel, to attending Ryan's baseball games, and
7 listening to Sarah play guitar and speak the Spanish language; and
8 WHEREAS, no words exist to describe the void left by his absence, as he was
9 simultaneously their biggest cheerleader and real life superhero; and
10 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo was a talented photographer and documented his family's
11 numerous trips and adventures; and
12 WHEREAS, his most cherished hobby, passed on by his father, was flying and he
13 was happiest in the clouds; and
14 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo passed on his joy of flying to many people as a certified
15 flight instructor and a licensed airline transport pilot with airplane, jet, and helicopter ratings;
16 and
17 WHEREAS, he was a member of the United States Civil Air Patrol with the United
18 States Air Force Auxiliary, for which he held the rank of colonel, and he also served as the
19 secretary of the board of the Lake Charles Regional Airport Authority; and
20 WHEREAS, his love of flying connected him to a childhood dream of policing his
21 neighbors on Palermo Drive, and his love for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department
22 enabled him to serve his community as captain of the aviation unit; and
23 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo was preceded in death by this father, Joseph R. Palermo
24 Jr.; and
25 WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of twenty-seven years, Kim; and his three
26 children, Rachel Palermo, Ryan Palermo (Madison), and Sarah Palermo; and
27 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo is also survived by his mother, Jackie Palermo; his
28 mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jenny and Reggie Keogh; his brother, Lance Palermo
29 (Tonia); sisters, Ashley Palermo (Nick Goodling) and Alisha Palermo; brother-in-law, Scott
30 Seeliger (Sheila); sister-in-law, Keri Keogh (Dave); a host of nieces and nephews; aunts and
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SLS 21RS-109 ORIGINAL
1 uncles, and numerous loving cousins and extended family; and
2 WHEREAS, Mr. Palermo's friends numbered in the thousands and he will be greatly
3 missed by all who knew him.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
5 express its sincere condolences upon the passing of Joseph "Rock" Palermo III and does
6 hereby acknowledge his lifelong commitment to his family and community and notes his
7 many contributions made on behalf of the state of Louisiana.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
9 wife, Kim Palermo.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Carla S. Roberts.
DIGEST
SCR 29 Original 2021 Regular Session Johns
Expresses condolences upon the death of Joseph "Rock" Palermo III.
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