2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 197
BY SENATORS CORTEZ, 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, MIZELL,
MORRIS, PEACOCK, POPE, PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE,
TALBOT, TARVER, WHITE AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To commend Diane O'Quin on her many years of exemplary service to the Louisiana Senate.
WHEREAS, Diane Aguillard O'Quin was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to
Howard and Julia Aguillard on January 28th in a year that was not that long ago; and
WHEREAS, Diane was raised in Rougon, Louisiana, and graduated from Rougon
High School earning many academic accolades; following high school, Diane moved to
Baton Rouge to attend Spencer Business College; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, she married the handsome Billy O'Quin and their union was
blessed with daughter, Doreen O'Quin Brasseaux, and son, Shane O'Quin; and
WHEREAS, prior to her employment by the Senate, Diane worked for the Baton
Rouge law firm Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson and worked two stints at the attorney general's
office under the former Attorney General William J. Guste, whom she ALWAYS referred
to as "the General"; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, she was hired by the Senate as secretary to Ollive R. Maxey,
a senior staff attorney; in 1982, her responsibilities were expanded to add secretary to the
Senate Committee on Finance and then expanded again to provide secretarial support to
another senior attorney Tom Poche; she commendably juggled all three assignments for
several years; and
WHEREAS, when Ollive Maxey and Tom Poche retired in 1984, Diane provided
secretarial support to the two newly named senior attorneys, Diane Burkhart and Riley
Boudreaux; and
WHEREAS, during the 1988-1992 term, Diane transferred from the Senate
Committee on Finance to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and
International Affairs working with Chairman Senator Lawson Swearingen; in 1990, when
Senator J.E. Jumonville replaced Senator Swearingen as chairman, Diane continued in her
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role as the committee's secretary; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, she was assigned to the Senate Committee on Insurance,
teaming up with Senator Greg Tarver with whom she continued to work until her first
retirement from the Senate in 2002, and with whom she continues to maintain a friendship
dear to both of them; and
WHEREAS, during her two decades with the Senate, Diane diligently worked her
assigned tasks, consistently offered help to her colleagues, and used her knowledge and
experience to improve work processes; on occasions too numerous to count, she volunteered
her assistance to Proofing, working late into the night only to be back at work to staff her
committee hours later; she carefully considered and initiated many of the ideas for process
improvements that were implemented; and she became an integral part of the organization
committees for Senate events such as inaugurations, hosting of conventions, and Christmas
and sine die parties; and
WHEREAS, always drawn to the beat of music, Diane's love of dance and her
demonstration of that love at numerous Senate functions earned her the endearing title of
"Queen of the Jitterbug"; and
WHEREAS, even after her retirement, Diane continued as a session employee and
committee secretary for Senator Tarver for the 2002 and 2003 sessions and as a session
employee for Senate Documents and Records for the 2004 and 2005 sessions; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Diane was hired by the Secretary's office as the assistant
journal clerk on the front desk, and three years later, she was promoted to primary journal
clerk; and
WHEREAS, after almost two decades working the front desk, Diane will retire again
from the Senate at the conclusion of the 2023 Regular Session; and
WHEREAS, Diane's tremendous work ethic, eagerness to learn, and attention to
detail has served the Senate well for the past four decades; her public service has also led to
lifelong friendships and many hilarious and precious moments; and
WHEREAS, Diane is a voracious reader, excellent cook, loyal wife, beloved mother
and grandmother, devoted friend, and always ready to be whisked away to the next
adventure; she and her husband of fifty-six years Billy have traveled extensively around the
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world and nothing makes her happier than being surrounded by family, particularly
grandchildren Sarah, Caitlyn, Brady, and Emily, and the newest addition, great-grandchild
and namesake Julia Claire; and
WHEREAS, it is now time for her second, well-deserved retirement from the Senate
and the start of her next adventure in life.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Diane O'Quin for her many years of service to the Senate and offers
heartfelt wishes for success in all her future endeavors and health and happiness in the years
to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Diane O'Quin.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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