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