2022 First Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
BY SENATORS PEACOCK, ABRAHAM, ALLAIN, BARROW, BERNARD,
BOUDREAUX, BOUIE, CARTER, CATHEY, CLOUD, CONNICK,
CORTEZ, FESI, FIELDS, FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY, HENSGENS,
HEWITT, LAMBERT, LUNEAU, MCMATH, MILLIGAN, FRED
MILLS, ROBERT MILLS, MIZELL, MORRIS, PETERSON, POPE,
PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE, TALBOT, TARVER, WARD, WHITE
AND WOMACK
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of attorney and former Louisiana State Senator, the Honorable Sydney Banks
Nelson, and to celebrate the legacy of public service he leaves to his community and
the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it was with deep sorrow and regret that the citizens and the Senate of
the Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of former State Senator Sydney Banks
Nelson who passed peacefully from this life on January 10, 2022, at the age of eighty-six;
and
WHEREAS, Sydney Nelson was born on March 12, 1935, to George Gus Nelson and
Eunice Lilley Young Nelson, and grew up in Benton, Louisiana, immersed in his rural
community, school, and church; and
WHEREAS, he attended the University of Oklahoma on a Naval ROTC scholarship,
was active in numerous campus activities which honed his people skills and political
interests, and earned a degree in accounting; and
WHEREAS, after serving his country through a variety of military postings while
in the United States Navy, Sydney Nelson attended the Louisiana State University Law
Center, where he excelled in his studies; and
WHEREAS, Sydney Nelson practiced law in the same manner he lived his
life - doing all that he could do to serve and benefit others; and
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WHEREAS, while Sydney Nelson served as a member of the State Senate from 1980
to 1992, Senator Nelson's positions and votes were based upon his convictions and beliefs,
without regard to party affiliation, thus earning him the moniker, "the Conscience of the
Senate"; and
WHEREAS, as a child of God, Sydney Nelson lived his faith and was active in his
church and community, serving on numerous boards and participating in community and
charity events; and
WHEREAS, Sydney Nelson is survived by Gail Anderson Nelson, his loving wife
of sixty-three years, his daughter Denise Dawn Nelson Akers, his son Sydney Stephen
Nelson, his four grandchildren, and his two great-grandchildren, and many extended family
and friends; and
WHEREAS, it has been said that the measure of a man is based upon how he lived,
his generosity of spirit, and his capacity to love; by these and any other measure, Sydney
Banks Nelson stands tall indeed and will be long remembered.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sydney Banks
Nelson, husband, father, attorney, legislator, community leader, volunteer, public servant,
and Christian who set an extraordinary standard of graciousness and personal integrity for
all to emulate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
wife, Gail Anderson Nelson and family.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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