SLS 15RS-743 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 83
BY SENATORS THOMPSON AND RISER AND REPRESENTATIVES ANDERS AND
PYLANT
WILD REFUGES/PRESERVES. Requests the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission to change the name of the Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area to the
J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert Wildlife Management Area.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To urge and request the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to change the name
3 of the Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area to the J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert
4 Wildlife Management Area.
5 WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting to honor the memory of J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert as
6 a distinguished legislator, farmer, businessman, and outdoorsman; and
7 WHEREAS, a graduate of Wisner High School, he attended Northeastern Junior
8 College, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Louisiana State
9 University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, and other than proudly serving his
10 country in the United States Army during World War II, he dedicated the rest of his life to
11 his beloved state; and
12 WHEREAS, upon his return from military duty, he settled in Sicily Island where he
13 began his family business of farming; and
14 WHEREAS, in 1956, Sonny Gilbert began a career of public service that would span
15 twenty-six years with his election to the Catahoula Parish Police Jury; and
16 WHEREAS, during his distinguished years of service, he would serve in both houses
17 of the Louisiana Legislature serving with distinction under four governors, Earl K. Long,
18 Jimmie H. Davis, John J. McKeithen, and Edwin W. Edwards; and
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SLS 15RS-743 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, he served three consecutive terms in the Louisiana State Senate from
2 1960 until 1972, having represented the parishes of Franklin, Richland, and Catahoula with
3 service as the chairman of the committee on agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and rural
4 development, and the committee on transportation, highways, and public works; and
5 WHEREAS, he was elected for a single term to the House of Representatives in
6 1972, from the newly reapportioned Twenty-First District representing Catahoula and
7 Concordia parishes; and
8 WHEREAS, while in the legislature, Sonny Gilbert was a vocal supporter of farming
9 interests and agricultural initiatives; and
10 WHEREAS, he concluded his public service career as a member of the Louisiana
11 Wildlife and Fisheries Commission from 1976 until 1982, and served as its chairman for his
12 last two years; and
13 WHEREAS, during his long life, he made many contributions to the Sicily Island
14 area economy as a rice and cotton farmer, rancher, and founding director of the Jonesville
15 Bank and Trust; and
16 WHEREAS, it is right to honor the distinguished life of J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert for his
17 outstanding public service, his many accomplishments, his tireless spirit, and his unwavering
18 dedication to the public good.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
20 urge and request the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to honor the life and
21 memory of J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert and the many great contributions he has made to the state
22 of Louisiana by changing the name of the Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area to
23 the J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert Wildlife Management Area.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
25 chairman of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
SCR 83 Original 2015 Regular Session Thompson
Requests the La. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to change the name of the Sicily Island
Hills WMA to the J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert WMA.
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