WASHINGTON, – U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and David Vitter introduced a bill last week that would rename the Shreveport Federal Building to the "Tom Stagg Federal Building and United States Courthouse" in honor of the late judge Thomas ‘Tom’ Eaton Stagg.
Stagg served as judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana for 41 years. He was appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1974 and served until his death in 2015.
“Mr. President, I rise today in support of designating the Shreveport Federal Building as the ‘Tom Stagg Federal Building and United States Courthouse,’” Cassidy said when introducing S.B. 2754 on April 6. “The Honorable Thomas ‘Tom’ Eaton Stagg Jr. of Shreveport, who passed away last June, was an inspirational figure.
Stagg graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport and joined the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of captain, during which he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Bronze Star for Valor, a second Bronze Star for meritorious service and the Purple Heart with Oak leaf cluster.
After World War II, Stagg attended Cambridge and Louisiana State University Law Center, where he received his Juris Doctorate. He went into private practice shortly after.
Cassidy said Stagg’s reputation was described as a combination of ‘intelligence, spirit, patriotism, wisdom and wit,’ which not only led to his nomination to serve as a federal judge, but also resulted in him being named chief judge in 1984 and senior judge in 1992.
“Judge Stagg loved being a judge, but his love for his job always came second after his love for his family,” Cassidy said.
Stagg is survived by his wife, the former Mary Margaret O’Brien, whom he married in 1946; and two adult daughters, Julie and Margaret Mary.
The bill states “the naming of the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 300 Fannin Street in Shreveport, Louisiana, after Judge Stagg would honor his name and the legacy he left to all citizens of the Western District of Louisiana.”
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.