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'''John Maurice LaPlante, Jr.''' (January 31, 1953 – April 14, 2007), was an [[United States|American]] political [[columnist]], news bureau director, and [[university]] [[professor]] based in [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], who spent more than three decades covering state government and politics. His terminal position, begun in 1998, was as the editor of the six-person Capitol News Bureau for ''The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''. LaPlante's "Political Horizons" column on Sundays particularly secured a large readership and often sparked heated comments from readers and state officials.

'''John Maurice LaPlante, Jr.''' (January 31, 1953 – April 14, 2007), was an [[United States|American]] political [[columnist]], news bureau director, and [[university]] [[professor]] based in [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], who spent more than three decades covering state government and politics. His terminal position, begun in 1998, was as the editor of the six-person Capitol News Bureau for ''The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''. LaPlante's "Political Horizons" column on Sundays particularly secured a large readership and often sparked heated comments from readers and state officials.

Born in [[New Orleans]], LaPlante was the second oldest of ten children of John LaPlante, Sr. (1927-2018) , and the former Ann Montgomery. The senior LaPlante graduated in 1958 from Loyola University in New Orleans and was employed by Helicopters, Inc., and Offshore Navigation, Inc., for which he retired as the secretary-treasurer.  In 1960, he became a [[Certified Public Accountant]] and moved his family to Mandeville in [[suburb]]an St. Tammany Parish. There he became active in youth sports leagues and worked to bring [[Babe Ruth]] league baseball to Mandeville.{{cite web|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=john-maurice-laplante&pid=188496577|title=John Maurice LaPlante, Sr., obituary|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|date=March 20, 2018}}</ref>  

Born in [[New Orleans]], LaPlante was the second oldest of ten children of John LaPlante, Sr. (1927-2018) , and the former Ann Montgomery. The senior LaPlante graduated in 1958 from Loyola University in New Orleans and was employed by Helicopters, Inc., and Offshore Navigation, Inc., for which he retired as the secretary-treasurer.  In 1960, he became a [[Certified Public Accountant]] and moved his family to Mandeville in [[suburb]]an St. Tammany Parish. There he became active in youth sports leagues and worked to bring [[Babe Ruth]] league baseball to Mandeville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=john-maurice-laplante&pid=188496577|title=Obituary of John Maurice LaPlante, Sr.|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|date=March 20, 2018}}</ref>  

The junior LaPlante graduated in 1971 from Mandeville High School and earned his [[bachelor's degree]] in [[journalism]], including work for ''The Daily Reveille'' student newspaper, at [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge. After a stint in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] with ''The Town Talk'' in the late 1970s, he joined  ''The Advocate'', then still known as ''The Morning Advocate'',  as a political reporter.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=87304696|title=John Maurice LaPlante, Jr.|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=April 17, 2007|accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref>

The junior LaPlante graduated in 1971 from Mandeville High School and earned his [[bachelor's degree]] in [[journalism]], including work for ''The Daily Reveille'' student newspaper, at [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge. After a stint in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] with ''The Town Talk'' in the late 1970s, he joined  ''The Advocate'', then still known as ''The Morning Advocate'',  as a political reporter.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=87304696|title=John Maurice LaPlante, Jr.|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=April 17, 2007|accessdate=May 23, 2015}}</ref>

His obituary notes that LaPlante:<br>

His obituary notes that LaPlante:<br>

won respect from colleagues and [[politician]]s alike for his persistence, writing abilities, and the fairness that he showed in his stories. [He] enjoyed researching government documents and covering press conferences and legislative hearings to provide a first-hand look at issues that affected the daily lives of citizens. [He] was "a friend to the reporters whose work he oversaw. He performed countless acts of kindness for his colleagues ...<ref name=obit/></blockquote>

won respect from colleagues and [[politician]]s alike for his persistence, writing abilities, and the fairness that he showed in his stories. [He] enjoyed researching government documents and covering press conferences and legislative hearings to provide a first-hand look at issues that affected the daily lives of citizens. [He] was "a friend to the reporters whose work he oversaw. He performed countless acts of kindness for his colleagues ...<ref name=obit/></blockquote>

LaPlante obtained a [[master's degree]] in journalism from LSU in December 2001 and thereafter taught introductory and advanced courses at his alma mater. He was a longtime leader of the  Press Club of Baton Rouge and a [[Boy Scouts of America]] leader at St. Aloysius [[Roman Catholic]] Church. He directed his church's efforts to support [[Habitat for Humanity]], and he volunteered with the [[American Red Cross]] in the wake of [[Hurricane Katrina]], having distributed food to the downtrodden of New Orleans.<ref name=bio/>

LaPlante obtained a [[master's degree]] in journalism from LSU in December 2001 and thereafter taught introductory and advanced courses at his alma mater. He was a longtime leader of the  Press Club of Baton Rouge and a [[Boy Scouts of America]] leader at St. Aloysius [[Roman Catholic]] Church. He directed his church's efforts to support [[Habitat for Humanity]], and he volunteered with the [[American Red Cross]] in the wake of [[Hurricane Katrina]], having distributed food to the downtrodden of New Orleans.<ref name=obit/>

LaPlante died in the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, [[Texas]]. In addition to his parents and his children, LaPlante was survived by his wife, Merrill, nine siblings, and three dozen nieces and nephews. Services were held in St. Aloysius Church. He is interred at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.<ref name=bio/>

LaPlante died in the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, [[Texas]]. In addition to his parents and his children, LaPlante was survived by his wife, Merrill, nine siblings, and three dozen nieces and nephews. Services were held in St. Aloysius Church. He is interred at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.<ref name=obit/>

Former Louisiana [[Governor]] [[Buddy Roemer]] of Baton Rouge recalled in a statement to ''The Morning Advocate'' that LaPlante was a most dedicated journalist: "John was a stickler for the truth. He was passionate about his work, and he was persistent. What I remember about John is the fact he was always there. If there was something happening that was shaping Louisiana, John was there."

Former Louisiana [[Governor]] [[Buddy Roemer]] of Baton Rouge recalled in a statement to ''The Morning Advocate'' that LaPlante was a most dedicated journalist: "John was a stickler for the truth. He was passionate about his work, and he was persistent. What I remember about John is the fact he was always there. If there was something happening that was shaping Louisiana, John was there."

On February 2, 2008, less than a year after his death, LaPlante was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.

On February 2, 2008, less than a year after his death, LaPlante was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=63|title=Political Hall of Fame: John M. LaPlante, Jr.|publisher=Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame|date=February 2, 2008|accessdate=March 20, 2018}}</ref>

==References==

==References==