SLS 15RS-92 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 9
BY SENATOR ALARIO
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere condolences upon the passing of former Louisiana
State Senator Elwyn J. Nicholson of Marrero.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of former Louisiana State Senator, the Honorable Elwyn J. Nicholson of
4 Marrero.
5 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana
6 have learned of the death of former legislator and businessman, Elwyn J. Nicholson, on
7 Sunday, September 28, 2014, at ninety years of age; and
8 WHEREAS, Senator Nicholson was an affable gentleman blessed with a quick smile
9 and a firm handshake; he possessed an innate self confidence, charisma, and sense of humor,
10 and also had a profound understanding of the complexities of issues affecting South
11 Louisiana; and he, through diligence and tenacity, led a fascinating life experiencing success
12 in nearly every endeavor; and
13 WHEREAS, Elwyn Nicholson had the rare privilege of sixteen years of exemplary
14 service in the Senate of the Louisiana Legislature from 1972 until 1988, representing the
15 voters of Jefferson Parish; and
16 WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Marrero, Senator Nicholson embodied the best
17 qualities of a public servant; he held a genuine interest in the people he served and felt a
18 personal responsibility to act on the behalf of his constituency with honesty and integrity;
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1 and
2 WHEREAS, he was born on December 11, 1923, graduated from Eunice High
3 School, and attended Tulane University and Louisiana State University in the pre-med
4 curricula; and
5 WHEREAS, Senator Nicholson proudly served his country in the United States
6 Army during World War II, from 1942 until 1946, and later attained membership in the
7 patriotic organizations of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
8 WHEREAS, Elwyn Nicholson was an extremely successful businessman who owned
9 the Nicholson and Loup Food Giant grocery store plus other interests; and
10 WHEREAS, he had great insight in commercial enterprise; and was knowledgeable
11 in governmental regulations that affected both infrastructure and economic growth; and
12 WHEREAS, during his tenure, Senator Nicholson was chairman of the Health and
13 Welfare Committee, vice chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and held
14 membership on the committees on Agriculture and Forestry, Local and Municipal Affairs,
15 and Revenue and Fiscal Affairs; and
16 WHEREAS, Senator Nicholson took an avid interest in the repeal of certain
17 regulations known as "Blue Laws" or "Sunday Closing Laws" that had been in effect for one
18 hundred years; these statutes inhibited commercial entities from the sale of certain items on
19 Sundays; these laws were difficult to interpret and nearly impossible to enforce; and after
20 a twelve-year battle of continuous introduction of anti-blue law legislation, Senator
21 Nicholson was victorious in 1986 with the repeal of the blue law legislation except by local
22 option; and
23 WHEREAS, through his extraordinary talents of diplomacy and compromise, he
24 brought to fruition important legislation that included authorization for a statewide lottery
25 and casino gaming; the promotion of horse racing; a prohibition against counter letters; the
26 repeal of the limitation placed on automobile license tax, a tax that had not increased since
27 the Great Depression; the placement of the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism
28 under the jurisdiction of the lieutenant governor; and an increase in penalties for offenses
29 committed against children and the handicapped; and
30 WHEREAS, Senator Nicholson also had a penchant for "promotion of all things from
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SLS 15RS-92 ORIGINAL
1 Louisiana" when in 1983, he penned legislation to designate the crawfish as the state
2 crustacean and the alligator as the state reptile; and
3 WHEREAS, Senator Elwyn J. Nicholson was a shrewd entrepreneur who understood
4 that increased commercial activity at the local level brought much needed revenue to the
5 state fisc and provided for future economic growth; and
6 WHEREAS, throughout his tenure as a legislator, his political philosophy embraced
7 compromise, those give-and-take processes of representative democracy; he provided
8 invaluable leadership to the legislative process, which was made better by his active
9 participation; and
10 WHEREAS, Senator Nicholson maintained an active interest in the New Orleans
11 Retail Grocers Association, the Louisiana Food Dealers Association, and the Supermarket
12 Institute; and
13 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Farrell R. Nicholson; and
14 WHEREAS, Senator Elwyn J. Nicholson is survived by his loving wife, Rose Marie;
15 their children, a son, John W. Nicholson, a daughter, Sharon Nicholson Lewis; a sister,
16 Carole N. Malbrough; grandchildren Matthew and Celeste Lewis, Anne, John IV, and former
17 legislator and businessman, William Nicholson, and Kristie N. Lapish; and five great
18 grandchildren; extended family, and many fond friends; and
19 WHEREAS, Senator Nicholson was a man with a generous heart and giving nature,
20 was blessed with an abundance of determination and skill, performed his public service
21 proudly and willingly, extended courtesy to all, and leaves a rich and unique legacy to his
22 family, community, state, and nation.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
24 express sincere condolences on the passing of Senator Elwyn J. Nicholson, a great statesman
25 and a mainstay in the political and economic fabric of Jefferson Parish.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
27 widow, Rose Marie Nicholson.
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SLS 15RS-92 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 9 Original 2015 Regular Session Alario
Expresses condolences upon the passing of Senator Elwyn J. Nicholson, former senator and
businessman.
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