Political Quotes

“I rise in support of designating the Shreveport Federal Building as the ``Tom Stagg Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' The Honorable Thomas or ``Tom'' Eaton Stagg, Jr., of Shreveport passed away last June. He was an inspirational figure. He graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport and joined the U.S. Army preparing for World War II. He rose to the rank of captain, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Bronze Star for valor, another Bronze Star for meritorious service, the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster. At one point, he was saved from death when a German bullet was stopped by a Bible he carried in his pocket. It was as if he was fated to live. After World War II, Tom attended Cambridge and then LSU Law Center and then served in private practice. Tom's reputation was described as a combination of ``intelligence, spirit, patriotism, wisdom and wit'' and resulted in his nomination to serve on the Federal bench for the Western District of Louisiana in 1974. He was named chief judge in 1984, a position he held until 1991. Many testimonials, one of which a close colleague said of Judge Stagg: Without a doubt he was the finest trial judge I have ever met. Without ever knowing it, he had served as my silent mentor, a role model. . . . To have served the job with Judge Tom Staff on the federal bench for 12 years is a singular honor. A giant has fallen . . .…”