Changes

| death_date=August 16, 2025 (aged 82)

| death_date=August 16, 2025 (aged 82)

| birth_place=Florien, Sabine Parish,  Louisiana

| birth_place=Florien, Sabine Parish,  Louisiana

| occupation=[[Educator]]

| occupation=[[Educator]]

| spouse=Bettye Lilly Salter

| spouse=Bettye Lilly Salter

In 2004, Salter was tapped by Democratic [[Governor]] [[Kathleen Blanco]] of [[Lafayette]] as her choice to be the 62nd Speaker of the Louisiana House to succeed [[Charles DeWitt]] of Rapides Parish as presiding officer. He was the first person from his House district ever to be Speaker. Unlike most states, Louisiana's governor recommends a choice for Speaker, and that person is usually chosen by the full chamber.

In 2004, Salter was tapped by Democratic [[Governor]] [[Kathleen Blanco]] of [[Lafayette]] as her choice to be the 62nd Speaker of the Louisiana House to succeed [[Charles DeWitt]] of Rapides Parish as presiding officer. He was the first person from his House district ever to be Speaker. Unlike most states, Louisiana's governor recommends a choice for Speaker, and that person is usually chosen by the full chamber.

Considering his experience in education, Salter served on the House Education Committee and on the key committees which address the budget and financing of state government – Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Capital Outlay Committee.

Considering his experience in education, Salter served on the House Education Committee and on the key committees which address the budget and financing of state government – Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Capital Outlay Committee.<ref name=j.salter{{cite web|url=https://www.ascensionfuneral.com/obituaries/joe-salter|title=Joe Reece Salter obituary|publisher=Ascension Funeral Home, Ascension Parish|accessdate=August 25, 2025}}</ref>

Salter's honors included the following:  

Salter's honors included the following:  

Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Golden Apple Award (1986, 1987, 1990) and Representative of the Year Award (1991 and 2001); Louisiana Association of Educators Friend of Education (1994), Outstanding Serve Award and Legislative Honor Roll (1997), and Outstanding Legislator (2001); Louisiana Library Association Distinguished Legislator of the Year (1989); Louisiana Council on Aging Directors’ Association, Champion of Senior Citizen Issues in Louisiana Special Award (2001); Fleur de Lis Health Care Leadership Award (2002); Guardian of Small Business Award (1991), Louisiana Rural Health Association "Legislator of the Year" (1995), and Louisiana Public Broadcasting President’s Award (2000).

Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Golden Apple Award (1986, 1987, 1990) and Representative of the Year Award (1991 and 2001); Louisiana Association of Educators Friend of Education (1994), Outstanding Serve Award and Legislative Honor Roll (1997), and Outstanding Legislator (2001); Louisiana Library Association Distinguished Legislator of the Year (1989); Louisiana Council on Aging Directors’ Association, Champion of Senior Citizen Issues in Louisiana Special Award (2001); Fleur de Lis Health Care Leadership Award (2002); Guardian of Small Business Award (1991), Louisiana Rural Health Association "Legislator of the Year" (1995), and Louisiana Public Broadcasting President’s Award (2000).<ref name=j.salter/>

Salter was a vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches. He has served too on the advisory board of the Northwestern State University - Leesville/Fort Polk campus. On a regional and national level, he served on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and their education committee, the Southern Regional Education Board Legislative Advisory Council, and the Education Commission of the States.

Salter was a vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches. He has served too on the advisory board of the Northwestern State University - Leesville/Fort Polk campus. On a regional and national level, he served on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and their education committee, the Southern Regional Education Board Legislative Advisory Council, and the Education Commission of the States.<ref name=j.salter/>

==Education lobbyist==

==Education lobbyist==

Salter was term-limited in the 2007 elections. In 2008, he began his latest position at a salary of $120,000 annually under Education Superintendent [[Paul Pastorek]]. In 2007, Pastorek assumed the superintendency on the death of [[Cecil Picard]], a former member of both houses of the legislature. In Louisiana, the education was previously elected, but the post became appointive in the 1980s, Pastorek was retained by Republican Governor [[Bobby Jindal]]. The superintendent is selected by the 11-member elected Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and while the governor's recommendation is significant, it is not binding. Salter was a lobbyist and liaison officer for the Education Department with his former colleagues in the legislature, with the state's [[U.S. Congress|congressional]]  delegation, and with local school boards.

Salter was term-limited in the 2007 elections. In 2008, he began his latest position at a salary of $120,000 annually under Education Superintendent [[Paul Pastorek]]. In 2007, Pastorek assumed the superintendency on the death of [[Cecil Picard]], a former member of both houses of the legislature. In Louisiana, the education was previously elected, but the post became appointive in the 1980s, Pastorek was retained by Republican Governor [[Bobby Jindal]]. The superintendent is selected by the 11-member elected Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and while the governor's recommendation is significant, it is not binding. Salter was a lobbyist and liaison officer for the Education Department with his former colleagues in the legislature, with the state's [[U.S. Congress|congressional]]  delegation, and with local school boards.<ref name=j.salter/>

==Two Republicans succeed Salter==

==Two Republicans succeed Salter==

In 2008, Salter was inducted into the [[Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]] in Winnfield.<ref>Louisiana Political Museum499 E (cityofwinnfield.com), accessed April 13, 2021.</ref>

In 2008, Salter was inducted into the [[Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]] in Winnfield.<ref>Louisiana Political Museum499 E (cityofwinnfield.com), accessed April 13, 2021.</ref>

==References==

==References==