ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 163
BY REPRESENTATIVES ECHOLS, GADBERRY, JONES, MCFARLAND, MOORE,
AND THOMPSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Sue Nicholson on the occasion of her retirement from the Monroe Chamber
of Commerce.
WHEREAS, Sue Nicholson has dedicated the larger portion of her professional life
to the service of her community; she is retiring from the Monroe Chamber of Commerce
after decades of work advocating for businesses and pushing for economic development in
northeast Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Sue was the first woman president in the Monroe Chamber of
Commerce's history; prior to 1990, the Chamber leadership was mostly white men, but the
board has since pushed for more diversity in order to better reflect the businesses and leaders
in the community; and
WHEREAS, Sue takes great pride in her many accomplishments throughout her
career in public service; she helped make the Monroe Chamber of Commerce financially
sound so that it could step away from its reliance on government funding and become a
better representative of local business; she also worked with former West Monroe mayor
Dave Norris to develop the Ike Hamilton Expo Center; and
WHEREAS, under Ms. Nicholson's leadership, the Chamber worked to foster the
NOVA Workforce Institute of Northeast Louisiana to support employer-driven job training;
the Chamber also hosted days for high school students to be introduced to local business
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Sue has also worked with the Ruston Chamber of Commerce and
Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Boy Scouts of America; she acted as president of
the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce for nine years and served as the
assistant vice president of external affairs at the University of Louisiana Monroe; and
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WHEREAS, Ms. Nicholson plans to work with community projects and remain on
boards that highlight workforce development and draw tourists to the parish; she is also
committed to continuing her assistance with the High School Business Academy and the
Kansas Lane extension; and
WHEREAS, Sue Nicholson is most deserving of recognition for her relentless
dedication to the Monroe community.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Sue Nicholson on the occasion of her
retirement from the Monroe Chamber of Commerce; does hereby recognize Sue's extensive
accomplishments during her career as a public servant; and does hereby extend sincere
wishes that she enjoy comfort in her well-earned retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Sue
Nicholson.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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