HLS 23RS-1321 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 74
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Gene Stewart for his accomplishments
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Gene Stewart for his accomplishments.
3 WHEREAS, Gene Stewart was born in Carthage, Mississippi, on July 21, 1938, and
4has been a resident of Rayville, Louisiana, for over eighty years; his family moved to
5Louisiana in the 1940s and worked as tenant farmers in Richland Parish; as a schoolboy, he
6farmed cotton and corn while learning guitar and singing and writing with his mother and
7cousins; and
8 WHEREAS, Gene attended Holly Ridge High School and started a five-piece
9country/rockabilly band named "Gene Stewart and the Rockin' Rebels"; the band became a
10mainstay at the Twin City Jamboree in West Monroe, Louisiana, and the Grand Old Auction
11Barn in Delhi, Louisiana; he also met James Burton, Elvis Presley's lead guitarist and band
12leader, while in Delhi; and
13 WHEREAS, after graduating, Gene enlisted in the United States Army; while he
14cherishes the country life and possesses a genuine respect for farmers, he wanted an
15alternative to a life of farming; and
16 WHEREAS, while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Gene continued to nurture his love
17of music by performing with local bands; on one occasion in 1957, he had the opportunity
18to perform a rock & roll gig with Clyde "Barefoot" Chesser; when the U.S. Army sent him
19to Ulm, Germany, he played with German bands at the noncommissioned officers club; and
20 WHEREAS, upon completion of his military service, Gene returned home and re-
21formed the Rockin' Rebels, and the band began playing at the Twin City Jamboree at the
Page 1 of 3 HLS 23RS-1321 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 74
1Fairgrounds Exhibit Building in West Monroe; in 1959, he and the band opened for Jerry
2Lee Lewis; and
3 WHEREAS, Gene began playing regularly at Delta Village, a tourist attraction west
4of Tallulah, Louisiana, in the early 1970s; he also made regular appearances on various
5country shows and at Elks and Moose Lodges in different cities; and
6 WHEREAS, Gene made his first recording, "Rub It In", at Camaro Records in
7Memphis, Tennessee; the song became a regional hit before Billy Crash Craddock's version
8became nationally famous; he also recorded a variety of other songs including "It's Not
9Much But It's Home", which is a song about his hometown of Rayville and was recorded by
10Enchanted Records; in 1975, he wrote and recorded "Face of an Angel", which became the
11most requested song at KRIH radio station in that year; and
12 WHEREAS, Gene began working at the United States Post Office in Rayville in
131961; he went on to serve there for forty-two years as a clerk/carrier, superintendent of
14postal operations, and for his final sixteen years of service, as postmaster; he was a member
15of the National League of Postmasters and National Association of Postmasters of the United
16States; he was especially active in the National League of Postmasters, serving as state
17membership chair and as a national membership committee member; and
18 WHEREAS, Gene also started a part-time career in real estate and after retiring from
19the post office became a full-time broker and investor with his wife, D'Juana; and
20 WHEREAS, Mr. Stewart has served his community in a variety of ways; he was a
21member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as president from 1989 to 1990, and the Junior
22Chamber of Commerce; he was also active in the Loyal Order of the Moose and Woodmen
23of the World; he is currently a member of the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce,
24serves as a notary public, mentors young musicians, and is a faithful member of First Baptist
25Church in Rayville; and
26 WHEREAS, Gene Stewart is most deserving of recognition for his many
27accomplishments and his dedication to Rayville and Richland Parish.
28 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
29Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Gene Stewart for his accomplishments and
Page 2 of 3 HLS 23RS-1321 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 74
1does hereby extend sincerest wishes that he continue to prosper in all of his endeavors for
2many years to come.
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 74 Original 2023 Regular Session Thompson
Commends Gene Stewart for his accomplishments.
Page 3 of 3