Page 1 of 2 Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 167 BY SENATOR ERDEY A RESOLUTION To commend C. Earle Benton on the occasion of his ninety-first birthday. WHEREAS, C. Earle Benton was born on July 31, 1923, in Pineville to Leslie Benton Sr. and Sammie Brecheen Benton; and WHEREAS, he had four brothers, Leslie, Milton, Carey, and William; and one sister, Grace; and WHEREAS, Mr. Benton graduated from Denham Springs High School as the class valedictorian, then received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Southeastern Louisiana University; and WHEREAS, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1943, where he was a lieutenant and navigated a B-129; and WHEREAS, Mr. Benton, first and foremost, is a family man; he was a loving, devoted and caring husband to his wife of almost 55 years, Mary Henrietta "Nook" Bencaz Benton and is a committed father to his two children, John Benton and Emily Jane "Cissy" Benton Grantham, and a cherished grandfather to his seven grandchildren and thirteen great- grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Mr. Benton is active in his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club and as a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Denham Springs; and WHEREAS, in his spare time, he enjoys bird watching and playing golf; and WHEREAS, in his golden years, Mr. Benton works every day at Benton Brothers Antique Mall, which opened in 1938 as Benton Brothers Furniture and later became an antique store; and WHEREAS, every year on July 31, he celebrates his birthday at Investar Bank in Denham Springs with friends and family who gather to honor his special day and dine on coffee and doughnuts; and SR NO. 167 ENROLLED Page 2 of 2 WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities, and the overall vitality of American society depend upon people like C. Earle Benton, an extraordinary gentleman and a true inspiration to all; and WHEREAS, on the memorable occasion of his ninety-first birthday, it is appropriate that sincere and heartfelt congratulations be extended to C. Earle Benton for his lifetime of outstanding devotion to his family, friends, and community. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend and congratulate C. Earle Benton on the occasion of his ninety-first birthday. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to C. Earle Benton. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE