A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former Senator for the State of Louisiana.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 159
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-07: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2459; text: CR S2458)
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-15T18:14:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 159) honors the life, public service, and legacy of John Bennett Johnston, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Louisiana who passed away at age 92. It expresses the Senate's sorrow and pays tribute to his contributions to Louisiana and the nation.
Key Provisions
- Biographical Recount: Details Senator Johnston's life, including his birth in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1932; education at Washington and Lee University, West Point, and Louisiana State University Law School (where he graduated with honors in 1956); marriage and family; and military service as a First Lieutenant in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps in Germany (1956–1959).
- Public Service Career: Highlights his roles in the Louisiana House of Representatives (1964–1968, as floor leader), Louisiana State Senate (1968–1972), and U.S. Senate (1972–1997).
- Senate Committee Service: Notes his involvement in key committees, such as Energy and Natural Resources (which he chaired from 1987–1995), Appropriations, Budget, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aging, and Intelligence.
- Legislative Achievements: Recognizes his work on issues vital to Louisiana and national policy, including:
- Flood control and hurricane protection.
- Natural resource conservation.
- Expanding offshore oil and gas drilling.
- Deregulating the natural gas industry.
- Enhancing national energy security (e.g., Senate Bill 2166 in the 102nd Congress).
- Creating national wildlife refuges, preserving over 120,000 acres of Louisiana wetlands, and establishing historical parks like the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
- Resolution Actions:
- Expresses profound sorrow over his death.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and send an enrolled copy to his family.
- Provides for the Senate to adjourn in respect on the date of adoption.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding commemorative resolution with no legal effect or changes to existing laws, statutes, or policies. It serves solely as a formal tribute.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal; it may involve brief administrative actions by the Senate Secretary (e.g., transmitting documents) but has no operational or budgetary effects.
- On Citizens: Symbolic impact, particularly for residents of Louisiana, by recognizing a figure who advanced state-specific issues like energy, conservation, and disaster protection; fosters a sense of historical continuity in public service.
- On International Relations: None, as the resolution focuses on domestic service and achievements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Family of Senator Johnston: Receives formal recognition and an official copy of the resolution.
- U.S. Senate and Congress: All current Senators (bipartisan cosponsors listed, from Mr. Cassidy to Mr. Young) participate in the tribute; the House is notified.
- People of Louisiana: Honored through acknowledgment of Johnston's state-focused legislation on energy, environment, and history.
- Former Colleagues and Public Servants: Highlights bipartisan respect for long-term congressional service.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: As a simple resolution, it requires only a Senate majority and does not need House or presidential approval (per Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, which allows each chamber to determine its rules). It has no enforceable legal consequences.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan unity (cosponsored by nearly all Senators), underscoring respect for institutional legacy and cross-party collaboration on energy and conservation issues during Johnston's era. It reinforces the Senate's tradition of honoring deceased members, potentially influencing future commemorative practices without altering policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (99)
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA], Sen. Thune, John [R-SD], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] and 49 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-07: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2459; text: CR S2458)
- 2025-04-07: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Honoring the life of the Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former Senator for the State of Louisiana. — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (4 pages)