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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 160
BY SENATOR LONG AND REPRESENTATI VES BROWN AND COX
COMMENDATIONS. Commends and congratulates Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson for
being named into the 2014 Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend and congratulate Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson on being named to the 20142
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class.3
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the citizens of the state have learned of the4
prestigious honor bestowed upon Thomas Milton"Tom" Benson upon his induction into the5
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame; and6
WHEREAS, the inductees are chosen after extensive deliberations by an expert panel7
of Louisiana Sports Writers' Association members from across the state who annually8
consider more than one hundred twenty nominees for this honor; and9
WHEREAS, Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana,10
on July 12, 1927; and11
WHEREAS, upon graduating from high school he served in the United States Navy,12
after which he returned home to New Orleans to attend Loyola University where he13
graduated with an accounting degree in 1948, and then pursued a career in the automotive14
industry and eventually become an owner of several successful car dealerships; and15
WHEREAS, in 1985, when he learned that the New Orleans Saints was on the verge16
of being sold to out of state interests, Mr. Benson came to the rescue and salvaged the17
franchise, preserving an important economic and cultural engine of the city and state; and18 SCR NO. 160
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WHEREAS, under his leadership the Saints developed into an international sensation1
with their first division title in 1991, first playoff victory in 2000, and first NFL title in 20092
after the Saints took a 37 to 17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on3
February 7, 2010, a day that will remain historic in the hearts of many Saints fans around the4
world; and5
WHEREAS, he has been instrumental in helping bring five Super Bowls to the city,6
served on numerous NFL committees, and operated the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena7
Football League from 2002 until 2008; and8
WHEREAS, in 2012, he surprised the sports world by purchasing the New Orleans9
Hornets basketball team, renamed them the Pelicans, and developed them into one of the10
most exciting and competitive teams in the National Basketball League; and11
WHEREAS, Mr. Benson has played an important part in the sports culture and12
economic development of the state and the city of New Orleans and has earned his place13
among the other legends of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby15
commend and congratulate Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson on being named to the 201416
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to18
Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson.19
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Long SCR No. 160
Commends Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson on being named to the 2014 Louisiana Sports
Hall of Fame Induction Class.