06 LC 97
0624
Senate
Resolution 1179
By:
Senators Johnson of the 1st, Williams of the 19th, Wiles of the 37th and Balfour
of the 9th
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
Mr. Billy Tauzin; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Mr. Billy Tauzin has devoted his entire life to serving the public, providing
invaluable leadership to his state and his nation throughout his long and
distinguished career; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Tauzin received his Bachelor of Arts from Nicholls State University in 1964
and his law degree from Louisiana State University in 1967; and
WHEREAS,
he began his political career in the Louisiana State Legislature, where he
served in a number of prestigious posts, including as chairman of the House
Natural Resources Committee and chief administration floor leader; his integrity
and leadership earned him the respect and admiration of constituents and
colleagues, and he was twice named as one of Louisiana's "Ten Best Legislators";
and
WHEREAS,
in 1980, Mr. Tauzin was elected to the United States House of Representatives to
serve the people of the Third Congressional District of Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS,
during the course of his long and successful tenure in Congress, Mr. Tauzin held
a number of key leadership positions, including chairman of a Merchant Marine
Subcommittee that oversaw legislation related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill and
chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he worked on many
important matters, including natural gas, airline, trucking, and electricity
deregulation, the Clean Air Act, Superfund, and the Telecommunications Reform
Act of 1996; and
WHEREAS,
elected as a Democrat, Mr. Tauzin switched to the Republican Party in 1995 and
was named Deputy Majority Whip in 1995, making him the first congressman to have
been part of the leadership of both major parties in the United States House of
Representatives; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, after 13 memorable terms in office and a bout with cancer, Mr. Tauzin announced that he would not seek reelection, thus putting an end to an illustrious career in public office; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, after 13 memorable terms in office and a bout with cancer, Mr. Tauzin announced that he would not seek reelection, thus putting an end to an illustrious career in public office; and
WHEREAS,
today, Mr. Tauzin serves as president and chief executive officer of the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, where he diligently works
to promote the vital biopharmaceutical research that is needed to ensure that
all Americans will continue to have access to the life-saving miracles of
medicine; and
WHEREAS,
as a faithful servant to his state and nation and as a tireless advocate for
improved health care, Mr. Tauzin has contributed immeasurably to America's
progress and prosperity, and it is abundantly fitting and proper for this body
to pay tribute to the outstanding work of this extraordinary
gentleman.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in
commending Mr. Billy Tauzin on his lifetime of exceptional service to the
American public.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Billy Tauzin.