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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 117
BY SENATORS LONG, ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
BROWN, BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAITOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, MARTINY, MILLS,
MORRELL, MORRISH, MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK, PERRY,
PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER,
THOMPSON, WAL SWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE AND
REPRESENTATIVE FANNIN
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of
Donald Long, a gentleman and Christian family man, and to commemorate a life
well spent in service to his fellow man.
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
the passing of a man of great kindness and strength, Don Long, who was the founder of a
much-admired Louisiana State University sports blog; and
WHEREAS, Don Long lived his life to its fullest extent and turned his passion for
LSU athletics into the "vocation of a lifetime"; since 1996, Don and his son, Scott, had
faithfully published an on-line daily LSU sports news report with a readership estimated at
one hundred fifty thousand worldwide; and he was the voice of DandyDon.com; and
WHEREAS, Donald Smith Long was born on December 17, 1935, in Tannehill,
Louisiana, and reared in Winnfield, one of eight sons born to parents, Rubin Ray Long and
the former Ruby Smith; and
WHEREAS, he possessed a blue-collar ethic and by trade was a meat cutter, market
manager, and state food safety inspector; and
WHEREAS, he believed in his God and his country, in simple pleasures of life such
as fishing and gardening, in the closeness of family, and in the value of friendship; and
WHEREAS, he was known by all as "Dandy Don", a passionate fan of the Purple and
Gold, who attended every LSU home football game for more than thirty years, and also
possessed a colossal knowledge of the university's athletic programs; and
WHEREAS, on the website, Don provided information about the top Louisiana high
school football prospects and their rankings, complete game schedules for football, baseball
and basketball, rookie player commitments, and a popular ticket exchange page; and all of SCR NO. 117 ENROLLED
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these informational services were provided free of charge; and
WHEREAS, he was a charming man and a true friend with a courageous and
compassionate spirt who never faltered, who always did the right thing, and who lived to
serve others; and
WHEREAS, Don Long shall also be remembered for his dedication to coaching
Little League Baseball and all that team sports stood for as the builder of good
sportsmanship, moral character, and leadership potential in young men; and
WHEREAS, he encouraged athletes of every sport to do well in school and to train
and to develop as an athlete who enjoys the game; he functioned as a football official with
the Louisiana High School Athletic Association; and
WHEREAS, Don lived the majority of his life as a resident of Lafayette, he married
the love of his life, the late Joy Ardoin Long, his wife of fifty-three years until her death in
July, 2010; and
WHEREAS, together, Don and Joy reared three sons, Kenneth Paul, Daniel Thomas,
and Scott Allen Long, and two daughters, Karen K. Long, and Paula L. Harwin; and were
blessed with thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a host of extended family,
and dear friends; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Don always conveyed the same intense enthusiasm
and excitement for LSU whether it was winning or losing, "Boom or Bust", up or down in
the ratings, and his on-line entries reflected his real passion for the Tigers; and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2012, surrounded by loved ones, Don Long passed from
this life to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, at his eternal rest; and
WHEREAS, it is from a legacy of good works that this sports fan, husband, father,
grandfather, and coach, "Dandy Don" Long, shall be remembered by his family and
community and by those he touched with his love of sports; and the kindness and wisdom
that he espoused shall continue into the future through his son, Scott Long, who now writes
for the website.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
celebrate the extraordinary life of Donald "Dandy Don" Long, commend the rich legacy he
leaves to his family and his community, and note his enthusiastic admiration for LSU SCR NO. 117 ENROLLED
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athletics.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express
its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Don Long and especially to our
colleagues, Senator Gerald Long and former House of Representatives member, the
Honorable Jimmy Long.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
children of Donald Long.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES