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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 76
BY SENATOR ALARIO
LEGIS POWERS/FUNCTIONS. Commemorates the Louisiana Bicentennial of statehood
and recognizes the year-long celebration.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commemorate the Louisiana Bicentennial of statehood and to encourage civic2
participation in local activities and statewide observances throughout the anniversary3
year of 2012.4
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana commemorates the bicentennial of5
Louisiana statehood and recognizes this extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the history,6
culture, and heritage that makes Louisiana like no other state in the nation; and7
WHEREAS, throughout Louisiana this memorable occasion of prominent historic8
significance will be observed by ceremonies, by both state and local governments, societies,9
and associations; with a year long celebration of events in every corner of the state, as well10
as with meritorious scholarship and educational opportunity; and11
WHEREAS, the calendar for 2012 is festooned with festivals, museum collections,12
historic re-enactments, homecomings, displays of artifacts and documents; plus the creation13
of folk art and memorabilia rendered to denote this important date; and14
WHEREAS, since European explorers such as, DeSoto, LaSalle, Iberville, and15
Bienville, first set foot on the fertile soil that would become known as Louisiana, the state's16
future has been wrought by its wealth of natural resources, its strategic location along the17
Mississippi River as a navigable gateway into the North American continent, and its18 SCR NO. 76
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potential for habitation and commercial venture; and1
WHEREAS, Louisiana and its people possess a lengthy and colorful history that2
began with indigenous Indian nations, French and Spanish colonial rulers, a territory within3
the Louisiana Purchase, formal admittance to statehood on April 30, 1812, as the eighteenth4
state in an ever expanding nation, the sorrows of Civil War, the prosperity of the Industrial5
Age, and the celebration in April 1912 of the Louisiana Centennial; and6
WHEREAS, one hundred years ago Governor Jared Sanders proclaimed that all7
citizens commemorate the historic event with appropriate ceremony, 'asking that all patriotic8
Louisianians observe this anniversary', and he also declared a school holiday; and9
WHEREAS, during the main celebration that was held in New Orleans, the city's10
mayor, Martin Behrman, made a profound statement in his Centennial address that rings true11
today, "No state of the Union has a greater future before it than Louisiana, an in caring for12
the present and working for the future, we must not forget the glories of the past; because13
if we are not true to the memories of the past, we cannot be true to ourselves,"; and14
WHEREAS, present day celebrations offer a chance to rediscover Louisiana history,15
explore its culture, and contribute to its historic preservation efforts through music,16
language, art, cuisine, craft, and dance; and17
WHEREAS, Louisiana holds a plethora of one of a kind customs that have been18
passed down from one generation to the next; distinctions in American Indian, Acadian and19
Creole heritage, religious traditions, architecture, and two separate French language dialects,20
all are a reflection of the vast diversity of culture unified in one region; and21
WHEREAS, the citizenry welcomes every visitor to sample Life in Louisiana, to22
listen to the music of Jazz and Bluegrass, to taste fresh seafood and Cajun cuisine, to fish the23
waters and to hunt the forests of Sportsman's Paradise, and to take note of the history of this24
beautiful land; an open invitation to experience its vitality and hospitality, first-hand; and25
WHEREAS, generations, yet unborn, shall celebrate Louisiana's Tricentennial of26
statehood in April 2112, in a world forged by today's generation; and as in 1912, Louisiana27
is ripe with potential for further economic growth and prosperity.28
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby29
commemorate the Louisiana Bicentennial of statehood, April 30, 2012, and encourages30 SCR NO. 76
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participation in local activities and statewide observances by all its citizens.1
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby2
recognize the singular and unique status that the state of Louisiana holds within the Union3
and does hereby commend the citizens of Louisiana for their extraordinary contributions to4
the betterment of their state and for their joie de vivre.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to The6
Honorable Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, The Honorable Jay Dardenne, Lieutenant7
Governor, and Ms. Julie Vezinot, director of the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission.8
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
Alario SCR No.
Commemorates the Louisiana Bicentennial of statehood and recognizes the year-long
celebration.