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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 25
BY SENATOR ALARIO
COMMENDATIONS. Commends J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert upon the celebration of his
ninetieth birthday.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend and congratulate J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert, distinguished legislator, farmer, and2
businessman, on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and to honor and celebrate his3
lifetime of outstanding contributions to the state of Louisiana.4
WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting and proper to honor J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert as an5
active and productive citizen of the state of Louisiana; and6
WHEREAS, Jess Carr "Sonny" Gilbert was born on March 6, 1922, to parents, Jess7
and Fannie Adams Gilbert; and8
WHEREAS, he graduated from Wisner High School, attended Northeast Junior9
College, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Louisiana State10
University; and11
WHEREAS, during World War II, he left LSU to enlist in the United States Army12
and served in the European and African theaters of war; and13
WHEREAS, after his military service, Sonny Gilbert settled in Sicily Island, married14
Barbara Jane Peck in 1946, and began his family business of farming and has remained in15
Catahoula Parish ever since; and16
WHEREAS, his extensive family includes a daughter, Barbara Peck Gilbert Haigh,17
and a son, J. C. Gilbert III, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and18 SCR NO. 25
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WHEREAS, the Gilbert family has a lengthy history in the area and many ties to1
local politics and state government; and 2
WHEREAS, in 1956, Sonny Gilbert added to that legacy and began a career of public3
service that would span twenty-six years with his election to the Catahoula Parish Police4
Jury; and5
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert bears the prestige of service in both houses of the6
Louisiana Legislature serving with distinction under four governors, Earl K. Long,7
Jimmie H. Davis, John J. McKeithen, and Edwin W. Edwards; and8
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert served three consecutive terms in the Louisiana State9
Senate from 1960 until 1972, having represented the parishes of Franklin, Richland, and10
Catahoula with service as chairman of the Agriculture Committee and as a member of the11
Transportation and Public Works Committee; and12
WHEREAS, he was elected for a single term to the House of Representatives in13
1972, from the newly reapportioned Twenty-First District representing Catahoula and14
Concordia parishes; and15
WHEREAS, while in the legislature, Sonny Gilbert was a vocal supporter of farming16
interests and agricultural initiatives; and17
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert concluded his public service with service on the Wildlife18
and Fisheries Commission from 1976 until 1982, and serving as its chairman for his last two19
years; and20
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert has made many contributions to the local economic21
landscape as a cotton and rice farmer, rancher, and founding director of the Jonesville Bank22
and Trust, now known as the Southern Heritage State Bank, that has grown to nine branches23
that serve the parishes of Catahoula, LaSalle, and Rapides; and24
WHEREAS, after the passing of his first wife, Barbara Jane Peck Gilbert, he was25
married to the vivacious, highly competent, longtime Senate staffer, Delmar "DeeDee"26
Fulmer, and widowed a second time in 1999; and27
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert possesses a variety of broad interests that include28
membership in the LSU Foundation, Rotary International, American Legion, Farm Bureau,29
the National Wild Turkey Federation, and as a freemason; and30 SCR NO. 25
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WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert is recognized for his outstanding public service, his many1
accomplishments, his tireless spirit, and his unwavering dedication to the public good.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby3
congratulate J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert on the auspicious occasion of his ninetieth birthday,4
March 6, 2012, and does hereby commend him for his many beneficial contributions to the5
state of Louisiana.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to7
J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert.8
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Alario SCR No.
Commends J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert on celebration of his ninetieth birthday.