SR 151

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 151
BY SENATOR FOIL
  A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of
       Louisiana upon the passing of Edith Kay Kirkpatrick.
       WHEREAS, the Baton Rouge community and the State of Louisiana suffered a
profound loss with the passing of Edith Kay Kirkpatrick on Sunday, May 10, 2026; and
       WHEREAS, Edith Kay Kirkpatrick, affectionately known as "Kay", was born in
Jennings, Louisiana, on July 14, 1946, to her parents, Claude and Edith Kirkpatrick; and
       WHEREAS, from a young age, Kay displayed remarkable musical talent and, at just
twelve years old, earned recognition as a childhood prodigy through her performance of a
piano solo with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra; and
       WHEREAS, at the age of thirteen, she moved with her family to Baton Rouge, where
she attended Lee High School and was recognized for her academic excellence, character,
and leadership, serving as student body vice president and being voted "Most Likely to
Succeed"; and
       WHEREAS, in 1963, Kay attended Louisiana Girls State and returned in 1964 as a
counselor, after which she served as a volunteer and frequent speaker at Girls State
conventions; and
       WHEREAS, while attending Louisiana State University, she was an active member
of Chi Omega sorority serving as an officer and participating in Angel Flight, ultimately
rising to the rank of national commander; and
       WHEREAS, Kay graduated with her first degree from Louisiana State University in
1968, the same year her brother completed LSU Law School, and desired to follow him into
the legal profession; and
       WHEREAS, after graduating with a master's degree and a PhD in Speech and
Psycholinguistics, she later earned a law degree from LSU and was admitted to the bar in
1977; and
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SR NO. 151  ENROLLED
        WHEREAS, her early legal career with East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney
Ossie Brown included distinguishing herself as the "go-to" person for matters before the
state appellate courts and the Louisiana Supreme Court on behalf of the District Attorney;
and
        WHEREAS, in 1988, Governor Buddy Roemer appointed Kay as Assistant Executive
Counsel to the Governor, where her responsibilities expanded beyond criminal law to
include environmental, fiscal, educational, and other policy matters including key decisions
affecting the state and its citizens; and
        WHEREAS, in 1992, Attorney General Richard Ieyoub appointed her as Deputy
Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division, where she handled a majority of the
office's work and participated in negotiations with the United States Department of Justice
regarding challenges to the state's higher education system; and
        WHEREAS, Kay concluded her distinguished public service career as General
Counsel for the University of Louisiana System; and
        WHEREAS, she generously supported LSU Law School by establishing the E. Kay
Kirkpatrick Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarship in Public Law to inspire future
attorneys pursuing careers in government and public law; and
        WHEREAS, Kay leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Charles Kris Kirkpatrick,
and his wife, Jane; her sister-in-law, Sandra Futrell Kirkpatrick; and numerous beloved
nieces, nephews, extended family members, and close friends, all of whom were blessed to
know her.
        THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Edith
Kay Kirkpatrick.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Edith Kay Kirkpatrick.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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