2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 153
BY SENATORS MIZELL, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BARROW, BERNARD,
BOUDREAUX, BOUIE, CARTER, CATHEY, CLOUD, CONNICK,
DUPLESSIS, FESI, FIELDS, FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY, HENSGENS,
HEWITT, JACKSON, KLEINPETER, LAMBERT, LUNEAU,
MCMATH, MILLIGAN, FRED MILLS, ROBERT MILLS, MORRIS,
PEACOCK, POPE, PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE, TALBOT,
TARVER, WHITE AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Honorable Patrick Page Cortez, Senate President, on his sixteen years of
dedicated public service in the Legislature of Louisiana and to express enduring
gratitude for his outstanding contributions made on behalf of his constituents of
Lafayette Parish and the state of Louisiana, particularly during his tenure as a
distinguished member of the Louisiana Senate representing District No. 23 and the
Louisiana House of Representatives representing District No. 43.
WHEREAS, Patrick Page Cortez was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Marion and
Tracy Cortez who taught him the importance of hard work, relying on your faith, and
treating all people with respect and dignity; and
WHEREAS, his father passed along many tidbits of advice and one that has served
Senator Cortez well in politics, "Make sure that you hear both sides of the story before you
decide"; and
WHEREAS, after graduating Lafayette High, he obtained bachelor's degrees in
education and general studies from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now known
as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he pledged Sigma Nu fraternity; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez met the woman of his dreams, Angela Stoma, in the fall
of 1983 and the lovebirds were married in 1985; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez has a lifelong passion for coaching and his first coaching
and teaching job was at Catholic High in New Iberia; and
WHEREAS, he later moved to Lafayette High, his alma mater, where he taught
Advanced American History and coached football, basketball, and track; and
WHEREAS, when his children were young, Senator Cortez left Lafayette High and
became an active participant in his family business which allowed him to spend more time
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with his wife and children; and
WHEREAS, he coached his son Matthew in almost every sport he played until high
school, never missing a game, and he also never missed a dance review or game where his
daughter Maria cheered; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, with the encouragement of family and friends, Patrick Page
Cortez ran for and won the House of Representatives District No. 43 seat; and
WHEREAS, in his only term as a Representative, he was appointed to the House
Committee on Appropriations, where he quickly mastered the budget process and was
known to carry a copy of the state constitution for reference during debates; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the House of Representatives, then-Representative
Cortez's committee service included the House Committee on Insurance, House Committee
on Appropriations Subcommittee on Business Development, and the House Committee on
Retirement; and
WHEREAS, in the 2011 election, Patrick Page Cortez won the Senate District No.
23 seat unopposed, was reelected in 2015 with 84% of the vote, and was reelected again
without opposition in 2019; and
WHEREAS, upon his election to the upper chamber, Senator Cortez brought his keen
business insight and corporate background to full measure with service on the standing
committees including membership on Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs, Senate Committee on Retirement, Senate Committee
on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, serving as chairman, Senate Committee on
Local and Municipal Affairs, Senate Committee on Natural Resources, and Senate
Committee on Education; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, Senator Cortez was unanimously chosen by his colleagues to
serve as their President; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Senate President, he served proudly on the Revenue
Estimating Conference, Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, Joint Legislative
Committee on Capital Outlay, Senate Executive Committee, Capitol Security Council,
serving as co-chairman, Interim Emergency Board, serving as chairman, Legislative
Budgetary Control Council, Senate Select Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood
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Control, Joint Select Committee on Louisiana Economic Recovery, serving as co-chairman,
State Bond Commission, Coastal Protection and Restoration Financing Corporation,
Governor's Task Force on Transportation Infrastructure Investment, Latino Commission,
Louisiana Transportation Authority, The Energy Council, Office Facilities Corporation,
Select Committee on High School Interscholastic Athletics, Senate Presidents' Forum, and
the Special Study Committee of the Senate on Legislative Sessions; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez is known amongst his colleagues for his approachable
nature and willingness to work across party lines; and
WHEREAS, as Senate President, he has promoted the independence of the Senate
while he improved communications with the House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, President Cortez has proven to be a leader of boundless energy and
ability, a person of great empathy and vision, and an effective coalition builder; and
WHEREAS, while serving in the Legislature, he has been a consistent supporter of
teachers' pay raises, funding for education, funding transportation projects to address
construction backlog, investments for the completion of I-49 north and south, funding for
the megaprojects to address necessary improvements to roads, bridges, and state highways,
funding for retirement systems, and funding for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, developing a deep love and affection for horses and horse racing as a
child, President Cortez has been a champion for Louisiana horsemen and the industry as a
whole; he is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades such as the Louisiana
Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's Triple Crown Award, the Gold
Standard Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the first ever inductee into the
Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's Hall of Fame, as well as
having a stakes race at the Fairgrounds named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez does not miss an opportunity to attend the Kentucky
Derby and attends as many races around the country as his schedule will allow, and he
currently owns a thoroughbred named My Sweet Sophia; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez has been the recipient of numerous tributes in
recognition of his legislative service and was especially honored to receive the "LegisGator
of the Year" award for 2022 from the Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce; and
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WHEREAS, many civic and nonprofit agencies have also benefitted from his
expertise and active participation including the Association of Educators of Louisiana,
American Legislative Exchange Council, Broussard Chamber of Commerce, Youngsville
Chamber of Commerce, Our Lady of Fatima School Board, Lafayette Parks and Recreation
Commission, Acadiana Outreach, Boys and Girls Club, Miles Perret-Games of Acadiana,
Louisiana High School Coaches' Association, and the Breast Cancer of Acadiana
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, although the intense demands of public life and civic duty draw heavily
upon his time and keep him quite busy, his first concern is always his close-knit family, his
wife of thirty-eight years, Angela Stoma Cortez, and their two treasured children, son,
Matthew, and Matthew's wife, Jessica, and daughter, Maria, and Maria's husband, Eric, as
well as his precious granddaughters, Sophia and Emma; and
WHEREAS, he and his family operate two retail furniture stores in Lafayette and
Senator Cortez often says that, "It is the hard work done by my family back home that allows
me the time to serve"; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez also credits his legislative success to his loyal and
trusted legislative assistant Julie Sandridge who has taken care of their constituents for
sixteen years; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez enjoys learning the French language almost as much as
he enjoys French wine; he is a true Oenophile; and
WHEREAS, President Cortez is an aficionado of all types of music, can name a tune
in one note, and often sings the song as well; he plays the guitar and was in the bands
Guidostock and the Page Cortez Band, aka Too Many Guitars, where they played for various
fundraising charities; he also played with the band Bayou Roux at the Rendezvous Music
Festival in France; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez is a history buff and takes pleasure in telling visitors to
the capitol about the history of the building and its architecture; and
WHEREAS, to his friends and family, he has shown himself to be the ultimate
optimist, the go-to for answers to trivia questions, and the master of remembering statistics,
scores, and plays in detail from games played years ago; and
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WHEREAS, Senator Cortez is a believer in the strength of community, the principles
of democracy, the importance of family and friends, the joy of life, and most importantly,
the unfailing love of God; he was raised in a Catholic family and has always trusted and
honored his faith and it has been his moral compass in decision-making; and
WHEREAS, Senator Cortez is especially grateful for the support of his loving family
and as he prepares to begin the next exciting and productive chapter of his life, he merits a
sincere measure of commendation for his sixteen years of distinguished public service in the
Legislature of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate the Honorable Patrick Page Cortez, extending honor
and recognition to him for his outstanding accomplishments, particularly during his tenure
as a member of the Louisiana Senate and the Louisiana House of Representatives, which has
been forever marked by his noble efforts to improve the welfare of his constituents and the
citizens of the great state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
hereby extend best wishes to our friend and colleague in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable Patrick Page Cortez, President of the Senate of the state of Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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