[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO HAYWOOD HILLYER III, LOUISIANA REPUBLICAN PARTY PIONEER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2010

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to 
note the recent quieting of a beloved and tireless conservative voice 
in Louisiana, Mr. Haywood H. Hillyer III.
  Mr. Hillyer was a passionate public servant and a man of action. He 
was a Republican in Louisiana when Republicans were as rare in that 
state as a July snowfall. His dedication to conservative principles and 
his boundless enthusiasm played a pivotal role in transforming the 
Republican Party into a viable political force in Louisiana.
  While in college, Haywood Hillyer was among a group of students who 
interacted with conservative icon William F. Buckley, Jr. His passion 
for ideas led him to found and edit a conservative college newspaper, 
The Liberator.
  When Mr. Hillyer helped take on the monumental task of growing the 
Republican Party in the Pelican State, there were a mere 10,000 
followers statewide. Today, there are over 750,000 Republicans in 
Louisiana. Haywood Hillyer served on the Republican State Central 
Committee of Louisiana for 25 years, and ran for governor.
  Mr. Hillyer was also a great patron of New Orleans jazz music, and 
was featured as a commentator in several jazz documentaries, recalling 
listening to local jazz pioneers in their youth, and he continued to 
support local jazz organizations throughout the rest of his life.
  Haywood Hillyer graduated from Tulane University and Tulane Law 
School. He served as an attorney for many years for what is now the 
Milling Benson Woodward law firm. Haywood was elected to several 
positions within the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Federal 
Bar Association. He was also an amateur sailor and racer, and a civic 
leader.
  On behalf of conservatives throughout the country, I wish to pay 
tribute to Mr. Hillyer for his distinguished leadership and exemplary 
life. Mr. Hillyer is survived by two sons, Haywood Hillyer IV and 
Richard Quin Hillyer; a stepson, Tyler Wood Duncan; and a stepdaughter, 
Halley Randolph Rash, as well as countless other friends and family.
  They are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

                          ____________________