[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 184 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GORDON BURGESS

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Tangipahoa 
Parish president Gordon Burgess. Gordon has selflessly served nearly 30 
years as Tangipahoa's first and only parish president.
  A graduate of Southern Arkansas University, Burgess served 2 years in 
the Nike Missile Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery of the U.S. Army, as 
well as 4 years on Active Reserve in the National Guard. Following his 
service, Gordon owned and operated a successful oil service company for 
more than 20 years before becoming Tangipahoa Parish president in 1986. 
Gordon and his wife Margaret are both members of the First Baptist 
Church in Independence, LA, where he serves as a deacon and she in the 
music ministry.
  As a staunch fiscal conservative, Gordon has fought to reduce taxes 
and to live with a balanced budget by implementing his now famous ``pay 
as you go'' approach. When first elected Tangipahoa Parish president, 
Gordon inherited a parish government nearly $12 million in the red. 
Under his leadership, all of that debt has been paid off, and 19 
separate property taxes totaling over $96 million have been eliminated.
  During his eight terms in office, Gordon strengthened Tangipahoa's 
highway system, upgraded the drainage systems, built new governmental 
facilities, and invested in a higher quality health system for his 
Parish's citizens.
  Gordon's public service extends well beyond Tangipahoa Parish to 
State and Federal levels. His experience and vision have led to an 
appointment on Louisiana's Commerce and Industry Board and the 
Louisiana Police Jury Executive Board. On the Federal level, he serves 
as vice president of the Zachary Taylor Parkway Association.
  Gordon is also an honorary cochairman and committee member of 
America's Wetland Storm Warning IV Committee. He is a member of the 
Louisiana Federal Property Advisory Board, a member of Parishes Against 
Coastal Erosion, the Amite Rotary Club, the Hammond Chamber of 
Commerce, as well as the Ponchatoula and Amite Area chambers. 
Additionally he is a member of the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association.
  I am pleased to hereby honor parish president Gordon Burgess on his 
commitment to providing invaluable public service to the people of 
Tangipahoa Parish and the State of Louisiana.

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