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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 160
BY SENATORS LONG, ALARIO AND GALLOT AND REPRESENTATIVES BROWN
AND COX
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend and congratulate Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson on being named to the 2014
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the citizens of the state have learned of the
prestigious honor bestowed upon Thomas Milton"Tom" Benson upon his induction into the
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, the inductees are chosen after extensive deliberations by an expert panel
of Louisiana Sports Writers' Association members from across the state who annually
consider more than one hundred twenty nominees for this honor; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana,
on July 12, 1927; and
WHEREAS, upon graduating from high school he served in the United States Navy,
after which he returned home to New Orleans to attend Loyola University where he
graduated with an accounting degree in 1948, and then pursued a career in the automotive
industry and eventually became an owner of several successful car dealerships; and
WHEREAS, in 1985, when he learned that the New Orleans Saints was on the verge
of being sold to out of state interests, Mr. Benson came to the rescue and salvaged the
franchise, preserving an important economic and cultural engine of the city and state; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership the Saints developed into an international sensation
with their first division title in 1991, first playoff victory in 2000, and first NFL title in 2009
after the Saints took a 37 to 17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on
February 7, 2010, a day that will remain historic in the hearts of many Saints fans around the
world; and
WHEREAS, he has been instrumental in helping bring five Super Bowls to the city,
served on numerous NFL committees, and operated the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena
Football League from 2002 until 2008; and SCR NO. 160 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, in 2012, he surprised the sports world by purchasing the New Orleans
Hornets basketball team, renamed them the Pelicans, and developed them into one of the
most exciting and competitive teams in the National Basketball League; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Benson has played an important part in the sports culture and
economic development of the state and the city of New Orleans and has earned his place
among the other legends of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson on being named to the 2014
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Thomas Milton "Tom" Benson.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES