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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 212
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
A RESOLUTION
To commend Jerry G. Jones for his exemplary career of public service with the Legislature
of Louisiana and to congratulate him upon the occasion of his well-deserved
retirement from the Senate.
WHEREAS, it was with mixed joy and sadness that the members and staff of the
Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana learned that Jerry G. Jones had fixed a date certain
for his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Jerry graduated in 1976 from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and was
sworn in as a member of the Louisiana State Bar that same year; he was later licensed to
practice law in Texas and the District of Columbia and has focused his legal career on
legislative, regulatory, and litigation matters in the public and private sectors of Louisiana
and Texas; and
WHEREAS, from 1983 to 1985, Jerry served as Chairman of the Mock Trial Project
for the Young Lawyers Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association, receiving a
Certificate of Achievement in 1984 and an Award of Achievement in 1985; and
WHEREAS, while twice working for the Louisiana House of Representatives
(1981-1989; 1995-2000), he served as committee staff attorney, senior attorney, and director
for the Resource and Infrastructure Division, and after a brief stint practicing in Texas, Jerry
returned to Louisiana in 2004 to take a position as Senate Counsel and later Chief
Legislative Counsel for the Louisiana Senate; his service involved tours in diverse subject
matters, including criminal justice, civil law, commerce, natural resources, and coastal
restoration; and
WHEREAS, while fulfilling the other responsibilities of a legislative staffer, Jerry
created and coordinated materials for the drafting manuals of both houses of the legislature,
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assisted in representing the legislature in court proceedings, served as a member of the
Senate Emergency Response Team, and prepared and presented materials for in-house
training and orientation of staff and new members; and
WHEREAS, for over two decades, Jerry has kept Louisiana lawyers, particularly
those in public service, apprised of the latest legislative enactments and judicial rulings with
his materials for, and presentation of, "Recent Developments in Legislative Law &
Procedure" for the annual Legislative Legal Seminar held at the Louisiana State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Jerry has shared his knowledge and expertise outside the capitol,
addressing audiences around the country and presenting his materials at numerous
conferences, seminars, and meetings, including the Louisiana Judicial College and Louisiana
State Bar Association Joint Summer School; and
WHEREAS, an accomplished writer, Jerry authored numerous articles on legislative
law and procedure and other legal matters, published in various legal periodicals and bar
journals; although his complete body of work will leave an indelible mark on his readers,
it is his quintessential guides to understanding and successfully navigating the lawmaking
process, Legislative Law and Procedure and the annual companion handbook, co-authored
with Professor P. Raymond Lamonica of the LSU Law Center, that no enthusiast of the
Louisiana Legislature should be without; and
WHEREAS, as anyone with the good fortune to know him can attest, Jerry's quiet
demeanor, steadfast dependability, and rigorous scholarship invite a deep, abiding trust in
his counsel; and
WHEREAS, treating learning as a lifelong process, Jerry brings a Socratic approach
to any discussion of policy matters, sometimes producing short-term frustration and eye
rolling, but ultimately giving rise to a broader understanding that can be applied to other
questions and not merely to the narrow issue at hand; and
WHEREAS, Jerry led by example during his tenure with the legislature,
exemplifying the seasoned, informed, engaged, nonpartisan Senate staff member; many
younger colleagues, both past and present, looked to his wisdom and guidance, knowing it
would be hard to go astray if they asked themselves, "WWJD? – What Would Jerry Do?";
and
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WHEREAS, a true mentor, always available to assist a colleague with wordsmithing
to resolve any drafting or legal conundrum, Jerry's absence is felt by all and his influence
will have a lasting impact on the members and staff of the Louisiana Legislature; and
WHEREAS, in retirement, Jerry is looking forward to traveling here and abroad with
his wife, Lyn, and continuing his work in the legislative law and procedure areas, and he
plans to make annual appearances at the capitol to update attendees of the Legislative Legal
Seminar; and
WHEREAS, Jerry is fond of quoting and demonstrating the words of H.G. Wells,
"No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else's draft," therefore this
document has not been sent to him for a final "tweak".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Jerry G. Jones for his distinguished career in service to the state of
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby recognize the significant and enduring contributions he has made to the Senate and
House of Representatives of the Louisiana Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature does hereby extend
heartfelt wishes to Jerry G. Jones for success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Jerry G. Jones.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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