2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 154
BY SENATOR BOUIE
A RESOLUTION
To commend Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. upon his many accomplishments.
WHEREAS, born in 1936, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr., a native of Gonzales,
Louisiana, was born in 1936 to the union of his proud parents Lessie Robinson and Ernest
Marcelle Sr.; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Marcelle Jr. began working with Reverend T.J. Jemison in 1953,
in which he played an integral role in a bus boycott by transporting people to and from work
and was successful at integrating the bus system; and
WHEREAS, in 1954 he played an integral role in another successful bus boycott to
get black bus drivers, a vision which was achieved; and
WHEREAS, upon graduation from Prairieville High School in 1955, Reverend Dr.
Ernest Marcelle Jr. served in the United States Air Force as an air control technician working
on fighter planes; and
WHEREAS, after leaving the United States Air Force, Ernest Marcelle Jr. moved to
New Orleans, Louisiana, where he began working for Shelby Construction Company,
starting as a receiving clerk and finishing his tenure as a supervisor of construction in
Terrytown; and
WHEREAS, from 1963 to 1967 Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. worked for the
Boeing Company at their Michoud as a supervisor of the parts department; and
WHEREAS, in 1967, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. became Louisiana's first
black state trooper with the Louisiana State Police where he served until 1976; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Marcelle Jr. served as a body guard and driver in various roles,
including the detective bureau, Governor John McKeithen's security team and occasionally
as a bodyguard for Governor Edwin Edwards; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr., an active participant in the National
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Association of Black Police Officers, organized a local chapter in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. filed a civil lawsuit against the
Louisiana State Police for passing him over for promotions, despite being employed with
the agency for nine years and by then earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Loyola
University; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Marcelle Jr. was summarily terminated, and although he was
victorious in his civil lawsuit, the state did not honor the terms of judgment; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 Ernest Marcelle Jr. was inducted into the hall of fame in the
Line of Duty Museum in New York; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr.'s many accomplishments include
serving as a board member for the African-American Museum in Donaldsonville, Louisiana,
being inducted in the hall of fame at the Lion of Judah Museum in New York, volunteering
as a chaplain for the Louisiana state prison system, being a member of the disabled veterans
of American and served as the president of the counsel of Presidents of the cooperative
school club for ten years; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. earned a master's degree in theology
from the McKinley Theological Seminar in Jackson, Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy
degree from the A.P. Clay Bible College, served as an assistant pastor for Prayer Tower
Church of God in Christ for a number of years, two years as a Pastor at Jerusalem Church
of God in Christ, and now an associate pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New
Orleans, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. received numerous accolades and
honors for his civic activism and community service including the Outside Service to the
Community award, as well as the Unsung Hero award; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. has made significant contributions to
our nation, the state of Louisiana, and the community through his service in the Air Force
and Louisiana State Police, as well as his leadership in civil rights activism and community
organizations; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Marcelle Jr.'s groundbreaking achievements as Louisiana's first
black state trooper and his numerous accolades and honors for his civic activism and
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community service serve as an inspiration to future generations; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr.'s continued dedication to serving his
community as a volunteer chaplain, board member, and associate pastor demonstrates his
unwavering commitment to being a public servant and improving the lives of others.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr. for his many accomplishments and
thank him for his service to our country, state, and community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Reverend Dr. Ernest Marcelle Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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