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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 50
BY SENATORS BROOME, ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, 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 WHITE AND
REPRESENTATIVE BARROW
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of
Victor V. Bussie, former president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO and a pivotal force in
labor relations for over five decades.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Legislature of
Louisiana has learned of the passing of longtime labor leader, Victor Bussie, on the Sunday
before Labor Day, September 4, 2011, at age ninety-two; and
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie had been a fixture in Louisiana politics for over fifty
years, and he was extremely active during legislative sessions as an aggressive lobbyist with
appearances in committee hearings and frequent conferences with lawmakers on the labor
issues of the day; and
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie was gracious to everyone and well respected by all; a man
who took strong positions on collective bargaining, worker safety, and wage equity; he
always stated his position in a clear, concise, and polite manner; and
WHEREAS, he was born January 27, 1919, in the community of Montrose in
Natchitoches Parish to parents, Christopher and Fannie LaCaze Bussie; these were hard
economic times for a family with seven children, but they survived and Victor learned the
enduring lessons of self-reliance and thrift; and
WHEREAS, after he finished public school, he was eager to make his fortune, he
enlisted in the United States Navy and honorably served his country during World War II;
and
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie began his foray into labor relations when, as a Shreveport
firefighter, he became a leader in Shreveport Professional Firefighters Union No. 514; and SCR NO. 50 ENROLLED
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Bussie maintained his membership with the union for his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Bussie ascended to the positions of chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau
and president of the AFL-CIO Central Trades and Labor Council in Shreveport; being a
spokesman for labor became his passion and in 1956, he was elected president of the
Louisiana AFL-CIO; he was subsequently reelected to that post each year thereafter, through
1997; and at that time he was named president emeritus of the organization; and
WHEREAS, throughout his lengthy tenure Victor Bussie played a significant role
in securing many protections now afforded workers in the state of Louisiana, such as civil
rights, equal rights and pay for women, minimum wage guarantees, strict workplace safety
regulations, free and equal education, defined benefit pension plans, and child labor law
initiatives; and
WHEREAS, his counsel was sought both nationally and regionally, he served on
many advisory boards including the Southeastern Area Advisory Council, the National
Democratic Committee, chairman of the Southwestern Educational Laboratory, president
and board member of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Louisiana State University
Board of Supervisors, University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, the board of directors
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch, and by presidential
appointment to the Advisory Board of the United States Postal Service, the National Civil
Defense Advisory Council, and the President's Committee on Mental Retardation; and
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie held honorary doctorate degrees from Southeastern
Louisiana University, LSU, Southern University, and Nicholls State University and received
the Alumni Recognition Award from LSU School of Social Work, in addition to being
awarded the Appreciation Award from the American Red Cross, the Israel Labor Award, the
Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from the National Association of Mental Health, and
being named as a Louisiana Legend by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and induction into the
Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, he was a longtime member of the Commission on Ethics for Public
Employees, the advisory board of LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the
Governor's Economic Development Review Committee, the Governor's Pan American
Commission, and the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board of Baton Rouge; and SCR NO. 50 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, during his career, Victor Bussie never accepted salary or per diem for
services performed for government or any civic organization; he felt it was his duty to serve;
it was his way of "paying forward" to improve the circumstance of every rank and file
worker in the state and the nation; this was his contribution to the labor force of today and
tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, at his funeral service at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge,
Victor Bussie was remembered by the firefighters and police officers whom he had served,
who, as a show of respect, acted as his pallbearers and accompanied him to his final rest with
a procession of fire protection and law enforcement vehicles; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years and his partner in all
things, Frances "Fran" Martinez Nolan Bussie, who was his confidant, his sounding board,
and his partner in what he called "the great adventure" and together they left a wealth of
historic details in an oral history recorded by the office of the Secretary of State; and
WHEREAS, he is also survived by his children, Deanna Love and Carolyn Huff,
stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, many colleagues, and
special friends; and
WHEREAS, Victor Bussie was a real gentleman and a consummate labor leader
without par, highly regarded for his fortitude and trustworthiness by lawmakers throughout
the state and he shall continue to be remembered for his integrity by those who walk the
halls of the state capitol.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies upon the death of Victor V. Bussie and
acknowledge the unique and enduring role he played in Louisiana labor and government.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
widow, Fran Bussie.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES