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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 50
BY SENATOR BROOME
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of former AFL-CIO labor leader,
Victor Bussie.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of2
Victor V. Bussie, former president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO and a pivotal force in3
labor relations for over five decades.4
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Legislature of5
Louisiana has learned of the passing of longtime labor leader, Victor Bussie, on the Sunday6
before Labor Day, September 4, 2011, at age ninety-two; and7
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie had been a fixture in Louisiana politics for over fifty8
years, and he was extremely active during legislative sessions as an aggressive lobbyist with9
appearances in committee hearings and frequent conferences with lawmakers on the labor10
issues of the day; and11
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie was gracious to everyone and well respected by all; a man12
who took strong positions on collective bargaining, worker safety, and wage equity; he13
always stated his position in a clear, concise, and polite manner; and14
WHEREAS, he was born January 27, 1919, in the community of Montrose in15
Natchitoches Parish to parents, Christopher and Fannie LaCaze Bussie; these were hard16
economic times for a family with seven children, but they survived and Victor learned the17
enduring lessons of self-reliance and thrift; and18 SCR NO. 50
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WHEREAS, after he finished public school, he was eager to make his fortune, he1
enlisted in the United States Navy and honorably served his country during World War II;2
and3
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie began his foray into labor relations when, as a Shreveport4
firefighter, he became a leader in Shreveport Professional Firefighters Union No. 514; and5
Bussie maintained his membership with the union for his lifetime; and6
WHEREAS, Bussie ascended to the positions of chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau7
and president of the AFL-CIO Central Trades and Labor Council in Shreveport; being a8
spokesman for labor became his passion and in 1956, he was elected president of the9
Louisiana AFL-CIO; he was subsequently reelected to that post each year thereafter, through10
1997; and at that time he was named president emeritus of the organization; and11
WHEREAS, throughout his lengthy tenure Victor Bussie played a significant role12
in securing many protections now afforded workers in the state of Louisiana, such as civil13
rights, equal rights and pay for women, minimum wage guarantees, strict workplace safety14
regulations, free and equal education, defined benefit pension plans, and child labor law15
initiatives; and16
WHEREAS, his counsel was sought both nationally and regionally, he served on17
many advisory boards including the Southeastern Area Advisory Council, the National18
Democratic Committee, chairman of the Southwestern Educational Laboratory, president19
and board member of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Louisiana State University20
Board of Supervisors, University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, the board of directors21
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch, and by presidential22
appointment to the Advisory Board of the United States Postal Service, the National Civil23
Defense Advisory Council, and the President's Committee on Mental Retardation; and24
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie held honorary doctorate degrees from Southeastern25
Louisiana University, LSU, Southern University, and Nicholls State University and received26
the Alumni Recognition Award from LSU School of Social Work, in addition to being27
awarded the Appreciation Award from the American Red Cross, the Israel Labor Award, the28
Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from the National Association of Mental Health, and29
being named as a Louisiana Legend by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and induction into the30 SCR NO. 50
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Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame; and1
WHEREAS, he was a longtime member of the Commission on Ethics for Public2
Employees, the advisory board of LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the3
Governor's Economic Development Review Committee, the Governor's Pan American4
Commission, and the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board of Baton Rouge; and5
WHEREAS, during his career, Victor Bussie never accepted salary or per diem for6
services performed for government or any civic organization; he felt it was his duty to serve;7
it was his way of "paying forward" to improve the circumstance of every rank and file8
worker in the state and the nation; this was his contribution to the labor force of today and9
tomorrow; and10
WHEREAS, at his funeral service at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge,11
Victor Bussie was remembered by the firefighters and police officers whom he had served,12
who, as a show of respect, acted as his pallbearers and accompanied him to his final rest with13
a procession of fire protection and law enforcement vehicles; and14
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years and his partner in all15
things, Frances "Fran" Martinez Nolan Bussie, who was his confidant, his sounding board,16
and his partner in what he called "the great adventure" and together they left a wealth of17
historic details in an oral history recorded by the office of the Secretary of State; and18
WHEREAS, he is also survived by his children, Deanna Love and Carolyn Huff,19
stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, many colleagues, and20
special friends; and21
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie was a real gentleman and a consummate labor leader22
without par, highly regarded for his fortitude and trustworthiness by lawmakers throughout23
the state and he shall continue to be remembered for his integrity by those who walk the24
halls of the state capitol.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby26
express heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies upon the death of Victor V. Bussie and27
acknowledge the unique and enduring role he played in Louisiana labor and government.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his29
widow, Fran Bussie.30 SCR NO. 50
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Broome SCR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of AFL-CIO labor leader, Victor Bussie.