2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 83
BY SENATORS THOMPSON, ADLEY, ALARIO, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROWN,
BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CORTEZ, CROWE, DONAHUE, ERDEY,
GALLOT, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MILLS, MORRISH,
MURRAY, NEVERS, RISER, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE
AND REPRESENTATIVES ANDERS AND PYLANT
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request 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.
WHEREAS, it is altogether fitting to honor the memory of J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert as
a distinguished legislator, farmer, businessman, and outdoorsman; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Wisner High School, he attended Northeastern Junior
College, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Louisiana State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, and other than proudly serving his
country in the United States Army during World War II, he dedicated the rest of his life to
his beloved state; and
WHEREAS, upon his return from military duty, he settled in Sicily Island where he
began his family business of farming; and
WHEREAS, in 1956, Sonny Gilbert began a career of public service that would span
twenty-six years with his election to the Catahoula Parish Police Jury; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished years of service, he would serve in both houses
of the Louisiana Legislature serving with distinction under four governors, Earl K. Long,
Jimmie H. Davis, John J. McKeithen, and Edwin W. Edwards; and
WHEREAS, he served three consecutive terms in the Louisiana State Senate from
1960 until 1972, having represented the parishes of Franklin, Richland, and Catahoula with
service as the chairman of the committee on agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and rural
development, and the committee on transportation, highways, and public works; and
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WHEREAS, he was elected for a single term to the House of Representatives in
1972, from the newly reapportioned Twenty-First District representing Catahoula and
Concordia parishes; and
WHEREAS, while in the legislature, Sonny Gilbert was a vocal supporter of farming
interests and agricultural initiatives; and
WHEREAS, he concluded his public service career as a member of the Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission from 1976 until 1982, and served as its chairman for his
last two years; and
WHEREAS, during his long life, he made many contributions to the Sicily Island
area economy as a rice and cotton farmer, rancher, and founding director of the Jonesville
Bank and Trust; and
WHEREAS, it is right to honor the distinguished life of J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert for his
outstanding public service, his many accomplishments, his tireless spirit, and his unwavering
dedication to the public good.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to honor the life and
memory of J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert and the many great contributions he has made to the state
of Louisiana by changing the name of the Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area to
the J.C. "Sonny" Gilbert Wildlife Management Area.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chairman of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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