[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR DR. ROY K. DOKKA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday September 13, 2011

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I want to offer condolences upon the 
passing of Dr. Roy K. Dokka, professor and researcher at Louisiana 
State University, who died unexpectedly on August 1, 2011. His 
contributions as an educator in LSU's College of Engineering were 
invaluable, and he will be dearly missed by his family, peers, and the 
community.
  Dr. Dokka held the Fruehan Family Professorship in Engineering, and 
was responsible for groundbreaking research during his tenure at LSU. 
Instrumental in establishing LSU's Center for GeoInformatics (C4G), 
Dokka served as the center's first Executive Director.
  Since 2001, researchers at C4G have been dedicated to studying the 
causes of coastal erosion in Louisiana and other important geographic 
relationships. Use of the Global Positioning System (GPS), along with 
geodetic leveling, enables C4G engineers to closely study these 
relationships, providing essential data in understanding many 
geographic problems our state faces.
  Dokka's research contributions continued in 2002 when he spearheaded 
a cooperative with Louisiana Spatial Reference Center (LSRC) and the 
National Geodetic Survey-NOAA. Together, this alliance works on 
creating an advanced positioning system for Louisiana.
  Dokka also worked with the state legislature to ensure the efficient 
usage and application of C4G's resources across Louisiana and provide 
them with the knowledge to better understand and prevent coastal 
erosion.
  Thanks to the contributions of Dr. Dokka, LSU's C4G will continue to 
be a valuable asset for government, industry and higher education. The 
center's work is especially timely considering the opportunities 
available through GeoInformatics to provide critical information and 
roadway assessment.
  LSU acknowledges the importance of the research activity taking place 
at C4G, and has expressed its intention to continue and grow the 
institution in the absence of its founding executive director.
  Dr. Dokka left an admirable legacy in his profession, and will be 
remembered as a vital member of the engineering community and a 
distinguished citizen of the State of Louisiana.

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