[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E924-E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE MOON LANDRIEU, A CHERISHED PUBLIC SERVANT 
 FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA CELEBRATING HIS LIFE AS HUSBAND, FATHER, 
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, MAYOR, CABINET SECRETARY AND 
                  JUDGE, 4TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute 
to a faithful and cherished public servant from my home State of 
Louisiana. It saddens me that patriarch and civil rights trailblazer, 
Honorable Moon Landrieu, passed away on September 5, 2022. While being 
a member of the Democratic Party and an American lawyer, Honorable 
Landrieu represented New Orleans' Twelfth Ward in the Louisiana House 
of Representatives from 1960 to 1966. He later served on the New 
Orleans City Council as an at-large member from 1966 to 1970; elected 
as the 56th Mayor of New Orleans from 1970 to

[[Page E925]]

1978; United States Cabinet Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
from 1979 to 1982 during Jimmy Carter's Administration; and judge of 
the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeals from 1992 to 2000.
  He was born, Maurice Edwin ``Moon'' Landrieu on July 23, 1930, a 
native of Uptown New Orleans to Joseph and Loretta Bechtel Landrieu 
with one older brother, Joseph Landrieu, Jr. He graduated from Jesuit 
High School and attended Loyola University New Orleans on a baseball 
scholarship, serving as a team pitcher. During his undergraduate years, 
Moon was inspired by the social justice teachings of the Jesuits, which 
exposed him to the cruelty of segregation and was elected student body 
president. Moon graduated in 1952 earning his Bachelor of Arts in 
business administration and went on to Loyola New Orleans' Law School 
to receive his Juris Doctor in 1954.
  Upon completion of his schooling, Moon married Verna Satterlee and 
joined the United States Army in 1954 serving as a second lieutenant in 
the Judge Advocate General's Corps until 1957, after completing his 
army service, Moon returned home and opened a law practice while 
teaching accounting classes. After being heavily involved in 
organizations throughout the community, Moon decided to seek public 
office and won a seat in the Louisiana State Legislature in 1960 
representing New Orleans' Twelfth Ward. Moon relied on his teachings 
and upbringing as he stood in strong opposition to the onslaught of Jim 
Crow legislation that was being introduced. Moon went on to serve in 
the New Orleans City Council in 1966 and continued to combat 
segregation by successfully outlawing segregation in public 
accommodations.
  He then went on to be elected the 56th Mayor of the City of New 
Orleans, receiving support from 99 percent of the black voters. During 
his tenure in office, Moon upheld his campaign promise of honesty, 
integrity, and respect for all people by overseeing the desegregation 
of city government and public facilities while encouraging integration 
throughout New Orleans' private businesses and professional 
organizations. He intentionally and strategically appointed Black New 
Orleanians to leadership positions within city government and 
transformed the economy by investing in hospitality and tourism. Moon 
oversaw major investments in Jackson Square and the French Quarter, the 
development of the Louisiana Superdome, and revitalization of the New 
Orleans Central Business District. He learned from previous 
administrations and sought to protect and preserve housing in historic 
neighborhoods through the creation of the Historic District Landmarks 
Commission in 1976. Moon also served as president of the United States 
Conference of Mayors during his term.
  Moon didn't stop there--he was appointed and served as the cabinet 
secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban 
Development from 1979 to 1981 during the Carter administration. After 
returning home and running his private practice, Moon was elected to 
serve as a Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeals judge from 1992 until 
his retirement in 2000, completing 30 years of public service. Moon was 
inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in 2004.
  He is survived by his wife of 67 blessed years, Verna; nine 
remarkable children, Mary Landrieu, Mark Landrieu, Melanie Landrieu 
Cook, Michelle ``Shelly'' Landrieu, Mitch Landrieu, Madeleine Landrieu, 
Martin Landrieu, Melinda Landrieu Seiter, and Maurice Landrieu; and 37 
grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. who affectionally called him 
``Pawpaw''.
  Madam Speaker, I will always cherish the sage advice Mayor Moon 
Landrieu gave me when I was first elected to the Louisiana State House 
of Representatives. I am certain that his wisdom, advice, and political 
endorsement has carried me to this day as a Member of Congress. We must 
honor the great leaders of our past. They have stood as a shining light 
during the darkest times in our nation's history. Therefore, I 
celebrate Moon's tenure as a leader in the great City of New Orleans, 
State of Louisiana, and United States of America.

                          ____________________