[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING HANK LAURICELLA

 MR. VITTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the memory of 
Hank Lauricella, a beloved community leader from Harahan, LA, who 
tragically passed away in March of this year. Hank was born in 1930 and 
would have turned 84 on October 19.
  I was truly honored to serve with Hank in the Louisiana Legislature, 
albeit in different bodies. In all of my many dealings with Hank, he 
was a pure class act and a truly dedicated public servant. Hank was 
never a show horse out to grab media or other attention. He was a 
workhorse who got important, concrete things done, particularly in the 
area of economic development and transportation infrastructure.
  Hank was born in Harahan, LA, and attended Holy Cross High School. 
Following his time at Holy Cross High School, Hank attended the 
University of Tennessee, where he received his bachelors of science in 
business administration. While at Tennessee, Hank was a standout 
athlete who gained immense national recognition. He was a member of the 
1951 national championship team at the University of Tennessee and was 
first runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. In 1981, Hank was appropriately 
elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
  Following his college career and a year playing professional football 
with the Dallas Texans, Hank served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. 
Army from 1953 to 1955, with 1 year of his service in Korea. After his 
service in the Army, Hank returned to Louisiana where he joined the 
family business, John L. Lauricella and Sons, now known as Lauricella 
Land Company. In that role, Hank was instrumental in providing strong 
leadership in guiding the company as they transitioned from residential 
to commercial real estate development.
  For over 30 years, Hank served the Jefferson Parish community and 
indeed all of Louisiana in both the State House and the State Senate. 
During his time in the State legislature, Hank made economic 
development one of his top priorities. Hank promoted legislation that 
benefited the Louisiana Superdome, the Morial Convention Center, Louis 
Armstrong International Airport, the Port of New Orleans, and the 
Pontchartrain Center. Hank also served as an effective leader in many 
other roles. He was an original member of the Superdome Stadium 
Commission and played an instrumental role in the construction of the 
Superdome. Hank served on the boards for the Port of New Orleans, the 
World Trade Center of New Orleans, the Jefferson Business Council, and 
he served as the first chairman of the Board of the Jefferson Community 
Foundation.
  Hank Lauricella was a man of many talents and interests. Not only was 
Hank a superior athlete, he also had a passion for gardening and 
cooking. He loved to cook using the tomatoes, basil, and rosemary that 
he grew in his own garden.
  Of course Hank is lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Betty, 
his four sons and one daughter, and his fifteen grandchildren. But well 
beyond that, Hank is remembered as a great friend and true public 
servant by the entire extended community which he served so ably.
  I am so pleased to join them in continuing to remember and honor Hank 
Lauricella, a man who provided a great example of leadership through 
his service to others and his community.

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