2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 52
BY SENATOR FOIL
A RESOLUTION
To commend centenarian Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins for her athletic accomplishments.
WHEREAS, Ms. Hawkins was born in 1916 and grew up in Ponchatoula, Louisiana;
she celebrated her one hundred sixth birthday on February 10, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hawkins attended college at Louisiana State University and
graduated in 1938; after graduating, she worked for many years as a teacher in Baton Rouge
and spent time teaching in Honduras while working for United Fruit Company; and
WHEREAS, Julia met her future husband, the late Murray Hawkins, while attending
LSU; the two were wed over the telephone while Murray, a member of the United States
Navy, was stationed at Pearl Harbor during World War II; following his return from duty,
the couple shared seventy loving years of marriage until his passing; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Hawkins has rightfully earned national acclaim for her incredible
athletic accomplishments; she has been featured on numerous occasions in publications such
as The Advocate, Sports Illustrated, Runners World, and The Washington Post; she also has
a published memoir, It's Been Wondrous!; and
WHEREAS, Julia knows no task too tall to overcome; at seventy-five years old, she
began bicycling in senior games and self-trained by regularly riding a ten-kilometer route
around her neighborhood; her training paid off as it led to winning a bronze medal at her first
National Senior Games in San Antonio, Texas; and
WHEREAS, Julia has gone on to achieve a number of truly astonishing feats since
her first competition; she began competing in sprinting events at the age of one hundred, and
in 2017, she set a world record for the 100-meter dash for the 100-104 age group at the
National Senior Games with a time of just over thirty-nine seconds; last year, she became
the first female track and field athlete and first American to set a world record in the
100-meter dash for the 105+ age group with a time of 1:02.95; and
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WHEREAS, Ms. Hawkins is an truly awe-inspiring woman who embodies the spirit
of determination; she is most deserving of the highest recognition for her countless
achievements.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend centenarian Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins for her athletic
accomplishments; does hereby further recognize Ms. Hawkins for serving as an inspiration
to all who hope to achieve greatness; and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that she reach
even greater heights as she continues her outstanding athletic career.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Julia Hawkins.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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