2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 112
BY SENATORS JOHNS AND MORRISH AND REPRESENTATIVES ABRAHAM,
DWIGHT, FRANKLIN AND MOSS
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend and congratulate W.B. Williamson American Legion Post No. 1 of
Lake Charles, Louisiana, on the occasion of its one hundredth year of service to
Southwest Louisiana veterans.
WHEREAS, on May 20, 1919, a group of World War I veterans met at the
Lake Charles City Hall to discuss founding an organization of veterans to continue the
comradeship established during the war with Lt. Col. Bret W. Eddy, newly arrived from
France, as the guest speaker; and
WHEREAS, the organizational committee, which included Dr. J.G. Martin,
Capt. John Martin, and David R. Rosenthal, decided to affiliate with the newly formed
American Legion; and
WHEREAS, the fifteen men who applied for membership were James O. Dolby,
Thomas F. Porter, Bret W. Eddy, Randall A. Gormly, Leslie E. Damon, David R. Rosenthal,
Eddie King, R.K. Lake, M.J. Dugan, Gordon T. Lake, Ernest S. Clements, James L.
McCabe, Elmer Perry, Remi Bordelon, and A.C. "Burt" Anderson; and
WHEREAS, the American Legion accepted the application of the group and the post
was chartered as Louisiana Post No. 1, the first in the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the members of Post No. 1 chose to name the post in honor of Major
William Burke Williamson who was a member of the Army Judge Advocate General's
Department, and who died in Tours, France, in 1919; and
WHEREAS, among the many prominent local members of the post were former
Governor Sam H. Jones and Murphy Moss, who both served as state commanders of the
American Legion; and
WHEREAS, besides its numerous services to local veterans, Post No. 1 has been
active in recognizing local outstanding students, sponsored the Boys State program in local
schools, and American Legion baseball; and
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WHEREAS, the post also participates in parades, memorials, dedications, and
sponsors such youth groups as the United States Naval Cadets Corps, LaGrange High School
NJROTC, and Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, the post home is located at 1530 9th Street in Lake Charles on property
donated in 1931 by Mathilda Grey Estates for the sole purpose of use for the post.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby
commends and congratulates American Legion Post No. 1 on the occasion of its centennial,
and expresses enduring appreciation for all the services it provides for Southwest Louisiana
veterans and the entire Southwest Louisiana community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
American Legion Post No. 1.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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