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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 25
BY SENATORS ALARIO, ADLEY, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, BROWN,
BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAI TOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY,
MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH , MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK,
PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH,
TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend and congratulate J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert, distinguished legislator, farmer, and
businessman, on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and to honor and celebrate his
lifetime of outstanding contributions to the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting and proper to honor J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert as an
active and productive citizen of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Jess Carr "Sonny" Gilbert was born on March 6, 1922, to parents, Jess
and Fannie Adams Gilbert; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Wisner High School, attended Northeast Junior
College, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Louisiana State
University; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, he left LSU to enlist in the United States Army
and served in the European and African theaters of war; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, Sonny Gilbert settled in Sicily Island, married
Barbara Jane Peck in 1946, and began his family business of farming and has remained in
Catahoula Parish ever since; and
WHEREAS, his extensive family includes a daughter, Barbara Peck Gilbert Haigh,
and a son, J. C. Gilbert III, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, the Gilbert family has a lengthy history in the area and many ties to
local politics and state government; and SCR NO. 25 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, in 1956, Sonny Gilbert added to that legacy and began a career of public
service that would span twenty-six years with his election to the Catahoula Parish Police
Jury; and
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert bears the prestige of service in both houses of the
Louisiana Legislature serving with distinction under four governors, Earl K. Long,
Jimmie H. Davis, John J. McKeithen, and Edwin W. Edwards; and
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert served three consecutive terms in the Louisiana State
Senate from 1960 until 1972, having represented the parishes of Franklin, Richland, and
Catahoula with service as chairman of the Agriculture Committee and as a member of the
Transportation and Public Works Committee; and
WHEREAS, he was elected for a single term to the House of Representatives in
1972, from the newly reapportioned Twenty-First District representing Catahoula and
Concordia parishes; and
WHEREAS, while in the legislature, Sonny Gilbert was a vocal supporter of farming
interests and agricultural initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert concluded his public service with service on the Wildlife
and Fisheries Commission from 1976 until 1982, and serving as its chairman for his last two
years; and
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert has made many contributions to the local economic
landscape as a cotton and rice farmer, rancher, and founding director of the Jonesville Bank
and Trust, now known as the Southern Heritage State Bank, that has grown to nine branches
that serve the parishes of Catahoula, LaSalle, and Rapides; and
WHEREAS, after the passing of his first wife, Barbara Jane Peck Gilbert, he was
married to the vivacious, highly competent, longtime Senate staffer, Delmar "DeeDee"
Fulmer, and widowed a second time in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert possesses a variety of broad interests that include
membership in the LSU Foundation, Rotary International, American Legion, Farm Bureau,
the National Wild Turkey Federation, and as a freemason; and
WHEREAS, Sonny Gilbert is recognized for his outstanding public service, his many
accomplishments, his tireless spirit, and his unwavering dedication to the public good. SCR NO. 25 ENROLLED
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
congratulate J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert on the auspicious occasion of his ninetieth birthday,
March 6, 2012, and does hereby commend him for his many beneficial contributions to the
state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
J. C. "Sonny" Gilbert.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES