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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 183
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Tom Benson upon the occasion of his induction into the
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, on the occasion2
of his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.3
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1958 and was4
intended, in the words of Otis Harris, sports editor of the Shreveport Journal, to be "the5
Louisiana Hall of Fame – a hall of fame for the state's greatest athletes, men or women,6
amateur or professional, living or dead"; and7
WHEREAS, though the Hall of Fame began over fifty years ago, in 2013 the Hall8
of Fame celebrated the grand opening of its permanent and appropriate home for the9
recognition of Louisiana's greatest sports heroes at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and10
Northwest Louisiana History Museum in the National Historic District of Natchitoches; and11
WHEREAS, among the remarkable class of honorees to be inducted into the12
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 21, 2014, is New Orleans native,13
businessman, and philanthropist, Tom Benson; and14
WHEREAS, born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tom Benson served in15
World War II for the U.S. Navy and then graduated with an accounting degree from Loyola16
University of New Orleans in 1948; and17
WHEREAS, known for his ownership of the New Orleans Saints since 1985, the18
New Orleans native has been at the forefront of sports in the Crescent City for nearly thirty19
years; and20 HLS 14RS-4905 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 183
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WHEREAS, in 1985, Tom Benson purchased the New Orleans Saints from John1
Mecom, saving the NFL franchise from a potential move to Jacksonville, Florida, which2
Benson realized would have resulted in negative economic implications for not just the city3
of New Orleans, but the entire state of Louisiana; and4
WHEREAS, as the new owner, Benson quickly hired Jim Finks, a 1995 inductee of5
the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as general manager and Jim Mora as head coach, who two6
years later helped deliver the club's first winning season and playoff appearance since its7
inception in 1967; and8
WHEREAS, as owner, Benson has also presided over the team's first division title9
in 1991, first playoff victory in 2000, and the first NFL title in 2009 after the Saints10
delivered a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010;11
and12
WHEREAS, throughout his tenure as owner of the New Orleans Saints, Benson has13
served on numerous NFL committees, including three terms as Chairman of the prestigious14
and powerful Finance Committee; and15
WHEREAS, Benson was also instrumental in bringing five Super Bowls to New16
Orleans, including Super Bowl XLVII which was played on February 5, 2013; and17
WHEREAS, Benson, who was also the owner and operator of the New Orleans18
Voodoo franchise of the Arena Football League from 2002 through 2008, surprised the19
entire region when he purchased the New Orleans Hornets, now renamed the Pelicans, from20
the NBA in the spring of 2012; and21
WHEREAS, Benson and his wife, Gayle, are active philanthropists as well,22
establishing numerous endowments and making substantial donations to various educational23
institutions; and24
WHEREAS, in January 2012, Benson and his wife were awarded the Pro Ecclesia25
et Pontifice for their generosity to the Catholic Church, the highest papal honor that Catholic26
lay persons can receive; and 27
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana wishes to28
recognize New Orleans native Tom Benson for his economic and philanthropic contributions29 HLS 14RS-4905 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 183
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to this state, and for his well-deserved induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, for1
he is truly a Louisiana sports icon. 2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the3
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Tom Benson upon the occasion of his4
induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted6
to Tom Benson.7
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Cox HR No. 183
Commends Tom Benson, New Orleans native, businessman, philanthropist, and La. sports
icon, upon the occasion of his induction into the La. Sports Hall of Fame.