Danahay, Sulphur mayor-elect, bids Louisiana House farewell
<p class="p1">BATON ROUGE — Rep. Mike Danahay said farewell to his colleagues in the Louisiana House on Wednesday as he prepares to become the mayor of Sulphur on May 15.
<p class="p1">Danahay said he reflected on farewell addresses of former representatives when deciding what to say.
<p class="p1">Rep. Tom McVey, according to Danahay, said, “It’s been great and fun, and I am going home and go fishing. Goodbye.”
<p class="p1">Former House Speaker Jim Tucker talked about the legislative process, Danahay said, “and urged us to always respect it.”
<p class="p1">Danahay thanked the residents of House District 33 who “sent me to this magnificent room. I hope I have served them well.”
<p class="p1">Daphne Danahay, his wife, was in the House chamber. He thanked her and his daughters, Kate and Mary, and said it is the families of legislators who make the most sacrifices.
<p class="p1">District office managers can make or break legislators, and Danahay said Karen Gothreaux in his office has been “absolutely fantastic.”
<p class="p1">Other members of the Southwest Louisiana legislative delegation were also in the chamber. Danahay said they didn’t always agree but they were always together 110 percent when it came to the welfare of Southwest Louisiana.
<p class="p1">House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, was Danahay’s seat mate for eight years. He said he knew Barras would rise to greater heights and he is a wonderful man and a man of integrity.
<p class="p1">Danahay singled out Rep. Steve Pugh, R-Ponchatoula, saying the two men shared laughs and enjoyed times of silliness. He thanked House Clerk Butch Speer and his staff, an incredible staff he said he would put up against any staff, and the staff of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, on which Danahay has served as chairman for the last four years.
<p class="p1">“They work long hours and make us a better state,” he said.
<p class="p1">Danahay said his colleagues in the House bring their best talents to the Capitol.
<p class="p1">“God bless each one of you. Thank you,” he said.
<p class="p1">Barras said the people of Sulphur were lucky to have Danahay and told him he would always be welcome in the House.
<p class="p1">House Resolution 157 salutes Danahay’s contributions to Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes. He was first elected to the House in 2008. It notes that in 2009 the Louisiana Civil Service League presented Danahay with the Monte M. Lemann Award for promoting the study and reform of the state civil service system.
<p class="p1">An election to replace Danahay for the last year of his term is expected to be Nov. 6. A runoff, if needed, would take place Dec. 8.