[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E228-E229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING DALY JOSEPH ``CAT'' DOUCET

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 1999

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Sheriff 
Daly Joseph Doucet, affectionately known to those in Louisiana as the 
``Cat,'' who was recently inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of 
Fame.
  First elected Sheriff of St. Landry Parish in 1936, Cat Doucet 
quickly earned admiration and respect as the top law enforcement 
officer in the area. He would go on to serve 20 years in this office--
the longest in the rich history of this parish. On January 30, 1999, he 
was recognized for this service with his induction into

[[Page E229]]

the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame. A letter from the selection 
committee would go on to explain this high honor to Mr. Doucet's family 
in the following manner: ``The statewide selection committee bases its 
selection on the impact that an individual has had on the politics of 
Louisiana; a distinction for which your Father certainly qualifies 
for.''
  Mr. Speaker, in a state where colorful and savvy politicians are 
probably the highest density per square mile than any where in the 
land, Cat Doucet will indeed be remembered as a legend. He will long be 
remembered for his gifted political skills and remarkable zest for 
campaigning. One story that I would like to briefly share with you I 
believe illustrates this legendary talent.
  Upon one of his re-election bids, Sheriff Doucet came up with the 
clever idea to place a P.A. speaker on a crop duster and paid a pilot 
to fly the crop duster around the various farms of St. Landry Parish 
the weekend before the election. The pilot, yelling ``Vote for Cat 
Doucet for Sheriff,'' hit almost every farmer that clear day. The 
following weekend a massive turnout was reported for the election and a 
young reporter was anxious to know why so many citizens turned out to 
support the legendary Sheriff. The reporter quickly grabbed a farmer 
exiting the voting booth and asked him point blank, ``Sir, could you 
explain what appears to be a massive turn out for Sheriff Doucet?'' The 
farmer replied to the reporter: ``Well sir, all I can tell you is this. 
I was working in the sugar cane fields last weekend and all of a sudden 
I saw the clouds open up and voice from the sky say `vote for Cat 
Doucet for Sheriff' and I said to myself, anybody that can get God to 
come down and campaign for you, has got to be good!'' While Cat went on 
to win this race, he would sometimes lose others. However, his gracious 
demeanor did not leave him even on these rare occasions. Upon losing 
one of these elections in 1940, Cat was quoted in the newspapers as 
stating: ``Before the election I was a friend of the newly elected 
sheriff and I am sure he knows that I'll always be his friend. I hold 
no malice towards anyone.'' I share these stories with my colleagues 
today as they help to describe this extraordinary figure who meant so 
much to so many in our state.
  Most important, Mr. Speaker, his love for public service so often 
manifested itself through his common acts of human kindness. Whether it 
was buying needed medicines for the impoverished, chauffeuring the 
critically ill to charity hospitals, or paying the funeral expenses for 
the poor, he stood ready to help his fellow man in times of crisis. His 
recent induction into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame along with 
four other deserving public servants: Former Lt. Gov. James Fitzmorris, 
the late Commissioner of Elections Douglas Fowler Sr., the political 
pollster Ed Renwick, and Iris Kelso, veteran reporter for the Times-
Picayune, stands as a true testament to his dedicated career he loved 
so dearly. It is a fitting tribute that his inscription eternally reads 
``for outstanding accomplishments and service to the citizens of the 
state of Louisiana.''
  Mr. Speaker, with his death in 1975, Cat Doucet's storied past lives 
on far beyond the famous bayous of our state. His acts of goodness and 
great sacrifices have inspired many in St. Landry Parish to serve in 
the public body. His legacy will now forever survive in their hearts 
and in the hearts of those who knew him best.

                          ____________________