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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 72
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Tallulah mayor Eddie Beckwith Jr.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and great sadness that the state of Louisiana and
its citizens have learned of the passing of Tallulah mayor Eddie Beckwith Jr., on March 27,
2014, at the age of sixty-four after his long and hard-fought battle with cancer; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his death he was serving his second term as mayor, having
been first elected in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Beckwith Jr. was a native of Tallulah, Louisiana, and was born
on August 10, 1949, and attended Wright Elementary School, graduated from Reuben
McCall High School, obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Northwestern State University
in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and was twelve hours away from a master's degree in human
resources and development at Webster University, St Louis, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckwith also served his country in the United States Army,
making it a career spanning over three decades with over thirty-three years of active and
reserve duty military service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckwith was a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants
Major Academy Resident Phase, at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and during his service, he received
numerous promotions, awards, accolades, honors and decorations, retiring from the United
States Army with the highest rank that a noncommissioned officer can achieve, a rank of
command sergeant major at the E-9 rank; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Beckwith Jr. served over twenty-one years in state government
with the Department of Social Services, and then returned to Tallulah as Chief Director of
Operations of Beckwith Golden Gate Funeral Home; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Beckwith was a leader and a friend, a gentleman with much
talent and a strong work ethic, who as mayor, had a positive motto of "Together we can";
and SCR NO. 72 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, he is survived by his loving, devoted and dedicated wife of forty-three
years, Mary Louise Jones Beckwith, and their two cherished children, Michael Dwayne
Beckwith and Tiffany Nicole Beckwith; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the town of Tallulah experienced continued
growth and vitality with many accomplishments such as the improvements of streets, fire
protection, recreational activities, expansion of affordable quality housing developments,
improved public facilities, improved flood protection, and the overall quality of Tallulah;
and
WHEREAS, upon his death, the world lost a unique individual who left an indelible
mark upon the lives of all those who knew him in his community, in his town of Tallulah,
and in the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, with the death of Mayor Eddie Beckwith Jr., the state has lost one of
her finest sons; a man who loved God, his family, country, state, town, community, and
profession; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckwith was the kind of man who represents what is good about
Louisiana; a man of wisdom who always used his considerable talents, integrity, loyalty, and
passion to change his community, town, state and country for the better; a man who
dedicated his life to public service to his town, state, and country, and to protecting and
making the world a better place to live not only for our generation but for future generations
as well; and
WHEREAS, because of his numerous accomplishments in public and private life,
the death of Eddie Beckwith Jr. has left a void in his community and has created a genuine
sense of profound sorrow in his town, state, country, and especially for his friends and
family; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Beckwith was a vital force in Northeast Louisiana and cared
about the region and the state as a whole, his vision was one of a more prosperous and
progressive future, and he was especially excited about Tallulah's potential; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication
of people like Eddie Beckwith Jr. who use their considerable talents and resources to help
and serve others. SCR NO. 72 ENROLLED
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
honor the life of Eddie Beckwith Jr. and his numerous accomplishments in public and
private life and extend sincere condolences to his family on the occasion of his death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted the
family of Eddie Beckwith Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES