HLS 23RS-923 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 136
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES OWEN
CONDOLENCES: Expresses the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana on the death
of former Louisiana State Representative and U.S. Congressman Anthony Claude
"Buddy" Leach, Jr.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To express the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of former
3 Louisiana State Representative and U.S. Congressman Anthony Claude "Buddy"
4 Leach, Jr.
5 WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the Legislature of
6Louisiana has learned of the passing of former Louisiana state representative and U.S.
7congressman Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr.; and
8 WHEREAS, Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr., was born on March 30, 1934, to
9Anthony Claude Leach, Sr., and Lucille Goodwin Leach; Claude Leach, Sr., was a plumber
10and gas station owner who supported his family of five children after the untimely death of
11his wife; and
12 WHEREAS, despite the hardships he faced throughout his youth, Buddy excelled in
13his academic and extra-curricular pursuits; he graduated at the top of his class from Leesville
14High School and received a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana State University;
15while in college, he was diagnosed with polio and suffered from temporary paralysis but
16recovered from the disease; and
17 WHEREAS, after graduating from college, Buddy joined the United States Army and
18served as a commissioned officer from 1956 until 1959; after completing his military
19service, he enrolled in law school at Louisiana State University Law Center where he
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HCR NO. 136
1received a juris doctorate degree in 1963; he was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1964
2and began a law practice in Leesville; and
3 WHEREAS, Buddy combined a gentlemanly demeanor with a relatable background
4to win four state legislative elections and one congressional election; he was first elected to
5represent the parishes of Allen, Beauregard, and Vernon as a member of the Louisiana
6House of Representatives in 1968, during his first term; and
7 WHEREAS, after winning reelection in 1972, Buddy leveraged his uncanny ability
8to process large amounts of information to earn himself the role of chair of the tax-writing
9ways and means committee; his no-nonsense approach as chairman was well known in the
10capitol, and his management of committee meetings was renowned; in 1978 he was elected
11to the United States Congress representing the 4th congressional district; in 1983, he was
12elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives for his fourth term; and
13 WHEREAS, during his service as a state legislator, Buddy ushered in great
14advancements for his home district and the state of Louisiana, most notably ensuring that
15U.S. Highway 171 received critical prioritization and became the primary four-lane corridor
16between Shreveport and Lake Charles; from 2010 until 2012, he served as chairman of the
17Democratic Party in the state of Louisiana, and he remained active in party politics for the
18entirety of his life; and
19 WHEREAS, in addition to his political and legal careers, Buddy was an
20exceptionally successful businessman; at the urging of his beloved wife, Laura, he took a
21proactive role in the management of his family business, Sweetlake Land and Oil Company
22in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes; in 1987, his vision and steady leadership resulted in
23great benefits for the state of Louisiana and the growth of the oil and gas industry in
24Louisiana; his passion to help Louisiana and her people resulted in the discovery of the then-
25largest natural gas field in North America and a long-overdue economic expansion and
26employment boom in the southwest corner of the state; and
27 WHEREAS, Buddy's business and legal acumen led him to support ventures such
28as the development of Indigo Hotel and the Kress-Levy building in downtown Baton Rouge,
29facilitating the economic expansion of the capitol city; he expanded Sweet Lake's cattle herd
30to become the largest in the state and continued to grow the company's rice-farming
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HCR NO. 136
1operations; additionally, he oversaw the renovation of his old family camp into Grosse
2Savanne Lodge, one of the nation's premier fishing and waterfowl hunting destinations; and
3 WHEREAS, for over forty years, Buddy served on the board of Leesville-based
4Merchants & Farmers Bank, including nineteen as chairman; during his service, the bank's
5assets grew from $20 million to $500 million, and the bank expanded into the Lake Charles
6market where it was recognized as one of the top community banks in the state; and
7 WHEREAS, as a component of his lifetime of service, Mr. Leach was also a member
8of the Leesville Club for more than fifty years, volunteering countless hours and resources
9to the camp's principal charity, the Lions Camps for Children in Vernon Parish; he was also
10a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge of Slagle; Mr. Leach was a devout Christian and
11an active member of Polk Memorial and Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal churches
12in Leesville and Lake Charles respectively; and
13 WHEREAS, Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr., leaves to cherish his memory his
14wife, Laura; his children, Mary Werner, Lucy Davenport, and Claude Leach; nine beloved
15grandchildren; two treasured sisters; and numerous other relatives who loved and admired
16him; he will be deeply missed, but his extraordinary legacy of service to the state of
17Louisiana will live on forever.
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
19express heartfelt condolences on the death of former Louisiana State Representative and U.S.
20Congressman Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach, Jr., and does hereby extend sincerest wishes
21that his family, friends, former colleagues, and loved ones find comfort in their shared
22memories of his life.
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)]
HCR 136 Original 2023 Regular Session Charles Owen
Expresses the condolences of the legislature on the death of former La. State Representative
and U.S. Congressman Buddy Leach.
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