Louisiana SR 81: CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of community icon, Regina Walker.

Bill Text

2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 81
BY SENATOR POPE
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Regina Walker.
WHEREAS, Regina Walker, beloved musician, teacher, choral director, and strong
community presence, died on April 6, 2021, at the age of ninety-one; and
WHEREAS, Regina Walker, the wife of the late Dr. Edwin Walker, touched the lives
of countless young people in Livingston Parish and throughout the area through her
involvement with choirs and her distinguished career as a piano teacher; and
WHEREAS, a highly respected piano teacher for thirty years, she was a woman of
many talents, who left behind an indelible imprint on her children and the many she
influenced throughout her long life; and
WHEREAS, she graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a bachelor's
and master's degree in piano performance, and for the remainder of her life, used music
education to bring music to the community in different ways; and
WHEREAS, Regina Walker began teaching choir at Beauregard Junior High School,
and later on, cofounded the Livingston Parish Children's Choirs where she trained countless
singers and musicians, some who have performed around the world and even before former
President George W. Bush and two Louisiana Governors; and
WHEREAS, prior to establishing the choirs, Regina Walker directed the Denham
Springs boys choir during the 1960s and taught choral music at Central High School from
1976-1981, both of which have received superior ratings at district and state choral
competitions; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, she received the Distinguished Contributions to Music
Education Award from the LSU School of Music Alumni Association; and
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SR NO. 81 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, in 2000, she was nominated by the Arts Council of Greater Denham
Springs for the Governor's Arts Award for Achievement in the Arts, and was selected to be
listed in the Arts Council of Greater Denham Springs Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, Regina Walker was named the Baton Rouge Music Teachers
Association's Outstanding Educator of the year for her lifetime contributions to music in
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, she was honored by the Music Teachers National Association
(MTNA) at their national convention as an MTNA Foundation Fellow; an honor for which
only thirty-seven music teachers across the nation were selected to receive that year; and
WHEREAS, she was also awarded the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce's
first Annual Women's Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, Regina Walker is survived by her four daughters, Deborah Tyler,
Barbara Walker, Dinah Toups, and Terrilee Haley; grandchildren, Katherine Tyler, Lauren
Tyler Lyngarkos, Nathan Toups, Joshua Toups, Rachel Toups, Elizabeth Haley, and
Benjamin Haley; and great-grandchildren, Lyra Toups and Vera Toups; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Regina Walker represented all that is good about Louisiana as a
lady with unique gifts and a generous spirit, and with her passing, Louisiana has lost one of
its finest citizens who left an indelible mark on the lives of the many individuals whom she
touched, and by whom she will never be forgotten.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express its sincerest condolences upon the death of Regina Walker.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the family of Regina Walker.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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