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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 73
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 express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Gerald
Ray "Gerry" Lane and recognize his lifetime achievements.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sadness that the Legislature of
Louisiana has learned of the death of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane, on May 3, 2013, at the age
of eighty-two; and
WHEREAS, it is only fitting to recognize and record for posterity the unique and
wonderful legacy of Gerry Lane; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was born in Red Mound, Oklahoma, on February 15, 1931,
to Burl David and Bonnie Martindale Lane; and
WHEREAS, he battled cancer for over thirty years, living life on his terms through
sheer determination to keep going; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was in the automotive business for more than sixty years,
a mega dealer for more than fifty-five years, and the president of the Super Chevy Dealer
Group for twenty-three years; and
WHEREAS, he received hundreds of professional awards in his career, including the
prestigious Time Magazine Dealer of the Year, a National Lifetime Achievement Award
from GMAC, District Dealer of the year (won four times), Better Business Bureau's Douglas
Manship Sr. Torch Award for professional ethics, Business Report's Executive of the Year,
Sales & Marketing Executives' Marketer of the Year, and the Durwood Gully Sales &
Marketing Excellence Award; and SCR NO. 73 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, for all his philanthropic and community endeavors, Gerry Lane received
numerous honors including the Golden Deeds Award, presented annually by The Advocate
and the InterCivic Council of Baton Rouge; the Association of Fundraising Professionals
Philanthropist of the Year Award; and the Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge's
E.A. "Pete" Goldsby Award; and
WHEREAS, he was also honored with a bronze plaque in the Gerry Lane
Championship Plaza at Alex Box Stadium at LSU; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was a man who was never without a smile who believed and
taught his employees that the key to selling cars was honesty and treating people right and
who believed that "the more you gave the more you got in return"; and
WHEREAS, his philanthropic activities were legendary as on any given Saturday,
children playing YMCA sports wearing T-shirts with the Gerry Lane Enterprises logo on the
back can be spotted at local parks and twice a year, TV and radio spots, and newspaper ads
appear to promote the Angola Prison Rodeo, just two of the causes he supported and was
passionate about; and
WHEREAS, together with wife Faye, daughter Saundra and son Eric, in addition to
underwriting the Y's youth sports programs and sponsoring the Angola Prison Rodeo, the
Lane family has given more than $30 million to various community causes such as the
March of Dimes, raised thousands for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Arc of Baton
Rouge and written checks benefitting LSU's Rural Life Museum and the Krewe of Apollo's
Mardi Gras Ball benefitting its HIV/AIDS Crisis Fund; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane's self-stated ultimate goal was, "I wanted to try to the best
of my ability to leave a history of what it takes to be a success."; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lloyd and Bud,
his sister Velma Henderson and son Mark; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Faye Rogan Lane;
sons, David and wife Cindy; Eric and wife Lisa, and daughter Saundra; one brother, Eldon
Lane and wife Eulonda; and grandchildren Tyler, Ashton, Will, Jordan, Jillian, Jacqueline
and Jackson Lane; and
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was a man whose generosity, smile, and loving heart has SCR NO. 73 ENROLLED
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left an indelible mark on the many people whose lives he touched and leaves behind a rich
and unique legacy of tenacity, determination, integrity, intellect, and professionalism, and
though his death has created a tremendous void in his community, he will forever remain an
inspiration in the minds and hearts of all who knew him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane, does
hereby recognize his outstanding achievements and singular contributions to the betterment
of his community and of the state of Louisiana, does hereby record for posterity his
extraordinary gifts and profound talent, his outstanding abilities, and his generosity and
kindness, does hereby express appreciation for his enduring legacy that will continue as a
source of pride and honor for his family and friends, his community, and the state of
Louisiana, and does hereby express the deep regret of the entire state upon the loss of this
extraordinary gentleman.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES