ENROLLED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 196
BY REPRESENTATIVES DUPLESSIS, BRYANT, WILFORD CARTER, GAINES,
GREEN, JEFFERSON, JENKINS, JORDAN, LAFLEUR, LARVADAIN, AND
NEWELL
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc.
WHEREAS, the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society, Inc., was established to encourage the exchange of ideas, promote legal scholarship,
advance the science of jurisprudence, promote the administration of justice, uphold the order
and ethics of the courts and the profession of law, and promote the welfare of the legal
profession in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society, Inc., uphold the vision of the society's founders, Earl J. Amedee, Israel M.
Augustine, Louis Berry, Lionel Collins, Robert F. Collins, Nils R. Douglas, Norman C.
Francis, Benjamin J. Johnson, Alvin Jones, Vanue B. LaCour, Ernest N. Morial, Justice
Revius Ortique, Jr., J.T. Powell, James Smith, A.P. Tureaud, Freddie Warren, and Lawrence
Wheeler; and
WHEREAS, these men had the courage and foresight to found the Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society of Louisiana, the precursor to today's organization; they sought to combat the
racial injustices and inequalities that existed in the 1950s, such as Jim Crow laws and the
barring of African American attorneys from participating in the nation's legal profession; and
WHEREAS, the society is named in honor of an African American pioneer in the
legal profession, Louis André Martinet; in 1876, Mr. Martinet became the first African
American graduate of Straight University Law School, which is now Dillard University; he
had passed the Louisiana Bar Examination in 1875; in addition to practicing law, he served
as a politician, educator, activist, journalist, medical doctor, and notary; he was also a key
figure in the civil rights activities during the waning years of the Reconstruction era; and
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WHEREAS, the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal
Society, Inc., is most deserving of the highest recognition for upholding the values of its
founders and those of Louis André Martinet.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet
Legal Society, Inc., and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that the organization continue
its incredible work of uplifting the legal profession and, consequently, society by promoting
the exchange of ideas and combating discrimination.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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