HLS 111ES-280 ORIGINAL
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First Extraordinary Session, 2011
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 15
BY REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL JACKSON
REAPPORTIONMENT/CON GRESS: Expresses support for adoption of a redistricting plan
for congress which includes two effective majority minority districts
A RESOLUTION1
To express support for adoption of a redistricting plan for congress which includes two2
effective majority minority districts.3
WHEREAS, the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States4
provides that representatives in congress shall be apportioned among the several states5
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state,6
and the United States Supreme Court has held that the population of congressional districts7
in the same state must be as nearly equal in population as practicable; and8
WHEREAS, present law divides the state into seven districts for election of9
Louisiana's representatives to the United States House of Representatives; and10
WHEREAS, due to the results of the 2010 federal decennial census, during the 201111
First Extraordinary Session, the legislature will redraw district boundaries for six12
congressional districts, effective for election purposes with the opening of the qualifying13
period for the 2012 primary election for members of congress; and14
WHEREAS, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States15
provides, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged16
by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of17
servitude" and authorizes congress to enforce the provision with appropriate legislation; and18
WHEREAS, pursuant to this authority, congress enacted the Voting Rights Act of19
1965, one of the most effective civil rights statutes enacted by that body; and20 HLS 111ES-280 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 15
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WHEREAS, congress examined the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in 2006 and enacted1
the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act2
Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006; and3
WHEREAS, congress found that "Significant progress has been made in eliminating4
first generation barriers experienced by minority voters, including increased numbers of5
registered minority voters, minority voter turnout, and minority representation in Congress,6
State legislatures, and local elected offices"; and 7
WHEREAS, congress found that "This progress is the direct result of the Voting8
Rights Act of 1965"; however, congress further found that "vestiges of discrimination in9
voting continue to exist as demonstrated by second generation barriers constructed to prevent10
minority voters from fully participating in the electoral process" and that "racial and11
language minorities remain politically vulnerable, warranting the continued protection of the12
Voting Rights Act of 1965"; and13
WHEREAS, as a whole, the state's population is approximately thirty-two percent14
African American, and it is only fitting that these citizens who comprise approximately one-15
third of Louisiana's population should have an effective opportunity to choose a minority16
representative in one-third of the state's congressional districts; and17
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the18
House of Representatives should give serious consideration to the adoption of a redistricting19
plan for congress that provides for two effective majority minority districts.20
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the21
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express support for adoption of a redistricting plan for22
congress which includes two effective majority minority districts.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted24
to the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana.25 HLS 111ES-280 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 15
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Michael Jackson HR No. 15
Expresses support for adoption of a redistricting plan for congress which includes two
effective majority minority districts.