ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 78
BY REPRESENTATIVES DEVILLIER, ADAMS, AMEDEE, BACALA, BAGLEY,
BAMBURG, BAYHAM, BEAULLIEU, BERAULT, BILLINGS, BOURRIAQUE,
BOYD, BOYER, BRASS, BRAUD, BROWN, BRYANT, BUTLER, CARLSON,
CARPENTER, CARRIER, ROBBY CARTER, WILFORD CARTER, CARVER,
CHASSION, CHENEVERT, COATES, COX, CREWS, DAVIS, DESHOTEL,
DEWITT, DICKERSON, DOMANGUE, ECHOLS, EDMONSTON, EGAN,
EMERSON, FARNUM, FIRMENT, FISHER, FONTENOT, FREEMAN,
FREIBERG, GADBERRY, GALLE, GEYMANN, GLORIOSO, GREEN, HEBERT,
HENRY, HILFERTY, HORTON, HUGHES, ILLG, JACKSON, MIKE JOHNSON,
TRAVIS JOHNSON, JORDAN, KERNER, KNOX, LACOMBE, LAFLEUR,
JACOB LANDRY, MANDIE LANDRY, LARVADAIN, LYONS, MACK,
MARCELLE, MCCORMICK, MCFARLAND, MCMAHEN, MCMAKIN,
MELERINE, MENA, MILLER, MOORE, MUSCARELLO, MYERS, NEWELL,
ORGERON, OWEN, PHELPS, RISER, ROMERO, SCHAMERHORN,
SCHLEGEL, SELDERS, ST. BLANC, STAGNI, TARVER, TAYLOR, THOMAS,
THOMPSON, TURNER, VENTRELLA, VILLIO, WALTERS, WILDER, WILEY,
WILLARD, WRIGHT, WYBLE, YOUNG, AND ZERINGUE
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Martha Ruth
Meaux Simmons.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing, on March 28,
2024, of Martha Ruth Meaux Simmons; and
WHEREAS, Martha was born on October 11, 1935, to Floyd and Ruth Meaux, and
she was raised in Lafayette, Louisiana; she graduated from the University of Southwestern
Louisiana with a degree in vocational home economics; she later received a master's degree
and many certifications in the assessment of visually and multiply impaired children; and
WHEREAS, after graduating, Martha became a special education teacher
specializing in the teaching and evaluation of the visually impaired; she taught at the
Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired for more than three decades and possessed a
distinct ability to identify the unique needs of each child and provide them with the
necessary tools to succeed both personally and academically; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Simmons was especially passionate about giving her visually
impaired students the opportunity to enjoy life experiences outside of the classroom; she
often brought her students on hayrides and let them interact with horses and pick vegetables
at her home; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Simmons was an incredibly knowledgeable and highly respected
expert in her professional field, and she traveled around the world to speak at conferences
for the Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Visually Impaired; and
WHEREAS, Martha was married to the late Gerald A. Simmons for sixty-four years;
she was a loving wife and mother, and she truly cherished her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren; she was also a regular attendee of daily mass at St. John Catholic Church in
Zachary, and she spent countless hour serving, mentoring, and giving her time and talents
to serve others in her community; and
WHEREAS, Martha Ruth Meaux Simmons leaves to cherish her truly beautiful
memory her children, Cinthia "Cindy" Mancuso, Christopher S. Simmons, and Carolyn S.
Suber; more than a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Floyd, Brenda,
Stewart, Michael, and Judy; and a host of extended relatives and friends; she will be deeply
missed but certainly never forgotten.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Martha
Ruth Meaux Simmons and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that her family, friends, and
loved ones find comfort in their shared memories of her beautiful life.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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