SLS 221ES-49 ORIGINAL
2022 First Extraordinary Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
BY SENATORS PEACOCK AND F OIL
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere condolences upon the death of former Louisiana State
Senator Sydney Banks Nelson.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 passing of attorney and former Louisiana State Senator, the Honorable Sydney Banks
4 Nelson, and to celebrate the legacy of public service he leaves to his community and
5 the state of Louisiana.
6 WHEREAS, it was with deep sorrow and regret that the citizens and the Senate of
7 the Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of former State Senator Sydney Banks
8 Nelson who passed peacefully from this life on January 10, 2022, at the age of eighty-six;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, Sydney Nelson was born on March 12, 1935, to George Gus Nelson and
11 Eunice Lilley Young Nelson, and grew up in Benton, Louisiana, immersed in his rural
12 community, school, and church; and
13 WHEREAS, he attended the University of Oklahoma on a Naval ROTC scholarship,
14 was active in numerous campus activities which honed his people skills and political
15 interests, and earned a degree in accounting; and
16 WHEREAS, after serving his country through a variety of military postings while
17 in the United States Navy, Sydney Nelson attended the Louisiana State University Law
18 Center, where he excelled in his studies; and
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SLS 221ES-49 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Sydney Nelson practiced law in the same manner he lived his
2 life - doing all that he could do to serve and benefit others; and
3 WHEREAS, while Sydney Nelson served as a member of the State Senate from 1980
4 to 1992, Senator Nelson's positions and votes were based upon his convictions and beliefs,
5 without regard to party affiliation, thus earning him the moniker, "the Conscience of the
6 Senate"; and
7 WHEREAS, as a child of God, Sydney Nelson lived his faith and was active in his
8 church and community, serving on numerous boards and participating in community and
9 charity events; and
10 WHEREAS, Sydney Nelson is survived by Gail Anderson Nelson, his loving wife
11 of sixty-three years, his daughter Denise Dawn Nelson Akers, his son Sydney Stephen
12 Nelson, his four grandchildren, and his two great-grandchildren, and many extended family
13 and friends; and
14 WHEREAS, it has been said that the measure of a man is based upon how he lived,
15 his generosity of spirit, and his capacity to love; by these and any other measure, Sydney
16 Banks Nelson stands tall indeed and will be long remembered.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
18 does hereby express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sydney Banks
19 Nelson, husband, father, attorney, legislator, community leader, volunteer, public servant,
20 and Christian who set an extraordinary standard of graciousness and personal integrity for
21 all to emulate.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
23 wife, Gail Anderson Nelson and family.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SR 4 Original 2022 First Extraordinary Session Peacock
Expresses condolences upon the passing of attorney and former Louisiana State Senator, the
Honorable Sydney Banks Nelson.
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