[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF SYDNIE MAE DURAND

  (Mr. LANDRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LANDRY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today 
in memory of one of Louisiana's great public servants, Ms. Sydnie Mae 
Durand.
  As the parish in which I grew up lays her to rest today, it is 
notable to recognize that she grew up at a time when a woman's place in 
the South was culturally in the home. She pioneered her way into a 
male-dominated oil and gas industry. She constructed and then walked 
proudly through the door that many women of south Louisiana would soon 
follow.
  During the 37 years she devoted to the oil and gas industry, she 
found time to serve her community--again, leading women into politics 
locally by becoming the first woman to preside over the St. Martin 
Parish Council and then by becoming the first woman to be elected to 
serve as the District 46 State House representative, where she served 
for 16 years. Her passion involved health care, where she chaired the 
House Health and Welfare Committee and served on many other national 
and State boards that dealt with the health care needs of children.
  While she will be missed by all, her work and legacy will continue to 
have a positive impact on the great State she leaves behind.

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