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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 43
BY SENATOR BROOME
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Huel D. Perkins, PhD, an
outstanding administrator of higher education for both Southern University and Louisiana
State University.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of2
Louisiana upon the passing of a distinguished educator, administrator, community3
leader, and humanitarian, Dr. Huel D. Perkins of Baton Rouge.4
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and sadness that the Senate of the Legislature of5
Louisiana has learned of the passing of Huel Davis Perkins on April 15, 2013, at age6
eighty-eight; and 7
WHEREAS, Dr. Perkins shall be commended and remembered for a lifetime of8
unselfish contributions made on behalf of public education in the state of Louisiana; and9
WHEREAS, he believed that education and preparation could overcome any barrier10
in life and he set a daily example of that truth, graduating with highest honors from Southern11
University in 1947 with a degree in music and earning both master's and PhD degrees from12
Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; and13
WHEREAS, besides his academic distinctions Huel Perkins was a true son of14
Southern; he pledged both Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity15
(Boule'), where he became the Grand Sire Archon and served as national president; and 16
WHEREAS, his service at Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical17
College included a position as Director of Music for eight years where he composed18 SR NO. 43
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Southern's Fight Song in 1951 and also served as Dean of the College of Arts and1
Humanities from 1968 to 1978; and2
WHEREAS, at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College,3
he served as Professor of Humanities, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and4
Executive Assistant to the Chancellor; and5
WHEREAS, in 1988 he was appointed to the State Board of Elementary and6
Secondary Education by Governor Buddy Roemer and named to the board of advisers of the7
J. W. Fulbright Scholarship program in 1996 by then President Bill Clinton; and8
WHEREAS, in 2005, LSU awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters9
and created a fellowship program that bears his name to assist students in their personal10
quest to achieve their greatest potential; and 11
WHEREAS, born on December 27, 1924, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Perkins12
spent his entire career in the service of others as a professor and an administrator in higher13
education; and14
WHEREAS, during his lifetime he earned numerous humanitarian awards and served15
on many nonprofit boards, including the Capital Area United Way, Baton Rouge Symphony,16
Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and the New Orleans Museum of Art; and17
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Thelma Smith Perkins;18
his son Huel Alfred Perkins; his grandsons Huel Jared Perkins and Vincent Frederick19
Perkins; and a host of extended family and loving friends; and20
WHEREAS, Dr. Huel Davis Perkins was a loving husband, father, and grandfather;21
a dedicated professor, administrator, speaker, and composer; a veteran of the United States22
Navy; a "true son of Southern" and a gentleman of quick wit with a warm sense of humor;23
he shared his knowledge with others; and he was a man of integrity who tried to see the best24
in everyone he met.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana26
does hereby extend its most sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Huel D. Perkins on the27
occasion of his passing.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Dr. Huel D. Perkins shall be remembered as a29
man whose dedication to scholarship has been a priceless gift to the state of Louisiana.30 SR NO. 43
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his1
wife, Mrs. Thelma Perkins.2
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Broome SR No. 43
Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. Huel D. Perkins, former educator and
collegiate administrator.