[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LATE HOWARD ZERANGUE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, it is always difficult to inform my 
colleagues when a constituent of mine passes away. It is especially 
hard when we have to say goodbye to a distinguished public servant such 
as Sheriff Howard Zerangue of Opelousas, LA, who died Thursday, April 
27, 2006 following a long battle with a blood disorder.
  Mr. Speaker, Howard Zerangue was Opelousas. His life and career will 
forever be defined by his devoted service to his city, as well as his 
neighbors in St. Landry Parish, where he served more than 25 years as 
Sheriff. Prior to his seven consecutive terms in the Sheriffs office, 
Howard Zerangue also served on the Opelousas Board of Aldermen from 
1966 to 1974, and as Opelousas Police Chief from 1974 to 1980. 
Throughout his service in law enforcement, Howard Zerangue was known 
for making significant technological improvements for his staff despite 
having to deal with tight budgets. He is also credited with starting 
programs to fight drugs, and to provide transportation services for the 
elderly and disabled.
  Despite the lofty titles he held, Howard Zerangue never forgot where 
he came from. His jobs outside of law enforcement, including as a 
Volkswagen salesman in the 1970's and as a bouncer at the Southern 
Club, allowed him to relate to the people he served everyday. His 
friends always appreciated his loyalty and his duty. As the Opelousas 
Daily World noted in their commentary: ``He had a strong sense of duty. 
He could be counted upon to be there when the chips were down. He stood 
up for those things--and people--that he believed in. He was dedicated 
to his job and to his vision of it as a way to help others.'' One could 
only hope to be remembered in such a way. Despite our loss, Howard 
Zerangue's memory lives on in the streets of Opelousas and St. Landry, 
which he worked to keep safe for most of his life.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in paying tribute to the memory of Howard 
Zerangue and in offering our deepest condolences to his wife, Ruth 
Manuel Zerangue; his mother, Winnie Meche Zerangue; his daughters, Mona 
Manteris and Debbie Sealy; his sons, Howard Jr., Keith, Neal, Harold 
and Darryl Zerangue; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

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