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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 181
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON AND SENATOR LAFLEUR
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its many contributions to the state and
to proclaim Monday, May 24, 2010, as Tunica-Biloxi Day.
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is a federally recognized Indian
tribe with which the state of Louisiana has enjoyed a productive, amicable, and mutually
beneficial relationship; and
WHEREAS, since time immemorial, the ancestors of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of
Louisiana have been residents of the territory now known as the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in the latter third of the eighteenth century, other components of the
groups that were later amalgamated into the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana became
residents of the territory that is now the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana currently resides on a reservation
located in Avoyelles Parish that was assigned to the tribe by the King of Spain in 1778; and
WHEREAS, members of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe fought alongside of and were allies
with Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana, in a victory over British
military forces in the Battle of Baton Rouge on September 21, 1779, the only battle of the
American Revolution fought outside of the territory of the original thirteen colonies; and
WHEREAS, the arts and crafts of members of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
have greatly enriched the artistic, cultural, and spiritual life of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the state and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana were co-parties in
the litigation known as the "Tunica Treasure Case", which resulted in the recovery of the
largest discovery of archaeological artifacts ever found in the United States, and ultimately
the items were deposited in a museum located on the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation to be
enjoyed by visitors from all over the world; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 181
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WHEREAS, the economic development projects of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe have
helped rejuvenate central Louisiana, bringing jobs and prosperity to citizens and residents
of the state and resulting in marked economic progress throughout Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Paragon Casino and Resort, operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, is a
vital business partner in the community of central Louisiana, and a recent expansion project
contributed more than one hundred eleven million dollars to companies in the local
community and created approximately two hundred permanent jobs; and
WHEREAS, the political leadership shown by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
has consistently exhibited great honor, integrity, foresight, honesty, and solicitude for its
people, constituting a major force for progress in the state and providing a role model for the
members of the tribe and other Louisiana citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has cooperated and worked along
with the state of Louisiana, the parish of Avoyelles, and the municipalities surrounding its
reservation to the benefit of all and to the exclusion of wasteful conflict and strife.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its many contributions to the state, does
hereby recognize Monday, May 24, 2010, as Tunica-Biloxi Day at the Louisiana Legislature,
and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the tremendous pride and honor that the
tribe brings to Avoyelles Parish and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the Honorable Earl J. Barbry, Sr., chairman of the Tribal Council of the Tunica-Biloxi
Tribe of Louisiana.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE