[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E998-E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING JERRY SHEA, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLAY HIGGINS

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
pillar of Louisiana, Iberia Parish icon, Jerry Shea, Sr., who recently 
passed away at the age of 93.
  Jerry was born in Louisiana and lived some young years in Texas. He 
has been a resident of New Iberia, LA, since 1942. After serving three 
years in the Air Force and graduating from Louisiana State University 
with a degree in petroleum engineering, he went to work for his 
father's welding company, Bayou Welding Works. Eventually Jerry and his 
late brother Edward ``Buddy'' Shea, Jr. went on to start several 
offshoots of Bayou, including Bayou Pipe Coating in 1971. Jerry was 
inducted into the National Association of Pipe Coating Applicators Hall 
of Fame in 1996 and retired from Bayou in 2000 after providing 55 years 
of leadership in the family business. In addition to his family 
business, he served as chairman of the board of New Iberia National 
Bank during the 1980s.
  Despite his business success, Jerry is even more well-known for his 
commitment and dedication to his community. He and his wife, Harriet, 
have received numerous recognitions for

[[Page E999]]

their community involvement, including receiving the ``Distinguished 
Citizen Award'' from the Boy Scouts Evangeline Area Council in 2001 and 
the 2013 Leaders in Philanthropy Award from Community Foundation of 
Acadiana for Iberia Parish. They also founded a scholarship at Catholic 
High School. Most recently, Jerry was the Grand Marshall of the local 
St. Patrick's Day Parade and a former King of the Krewe of Andalusia. 
In fact, Jerry was so active in New Iberia, people would often refer to 
him as the ``unofficial mayor of New Iberia.''
  Jerry's impact on New Iberia, Louisiana, will never be forgotten and 
he deserves great recognition. His passing is a true loss to his 
family, his community and to Louisiana.
  Jerry and his bride, Harriet, have six children, 21 grandchildren, 
and 33 great grandchildren. I join his family in mourning his passing 
and celebrating his life.

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