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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97
BY SENATOR LAFLEUR
COMMENDATIONS. Proclaims May 2, 2012 as Tunica-Biloxi Day.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its many contributions made to the2
state with its history, culture, and people, and to proclaim Wednesday, May 2, 2012,3
as Tunica-Biloxi Day at the Senate.4
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana was accepted as a member of the5
federation of Indian tribes recognized by the Congress of the United States in 1981; and6
WHEREAS, since that time the state of Louisiana has enjoyed a productive,7
amicable, and mutually beneficial relationship with the tribe; and8
WHEREAS, the historic significance of the Tunica and Biloxi tribes dates back9
numerous millennia to the original inhabitants of the Americas; as their ancestors resided in10
the territory that later became the state of Louisiana since time immemorial; as they were the11
first Native Americans to greet French colonizers, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and12
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, in 1669; and13
WHEREAS, separate components of the two groups later amalgamated into the14
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in the latter portion of the eighteenth century; and15
WHEREAS, members of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe fought alongside Don Bernardo de16
Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana, and celebrated the victory over British military17
forces in the Battle of Baton Rouge in 1779, the only battle of the American Revolution18 SR NO. 97
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fought outside of the original thirteen colonies; and1
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe now resides on its Indian reservation lands2
located in Avoyelles Parish, ceded to the tribe by the King of Spain in 1778; and3
WHEREAS, historically, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has preserved key elements of the4
anthropology of the Americas within its sacred burial mounds, including a treasure trove of5
artifacts dated back to before recorded history that remain a rich chronicle of the past; and6
WHEREAS, these antiquities indigenous to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe have greatly7
enriched the cultural, artistic, and spiritual heritage of the state of Louisiana; and8
WHEREAS, some of these artifacts, known as the "Tunica Treasure", were the focus9
of litigation to reclaim tribal property pilfered from burial sites, which resulted in the largest10
recovery of archaeological relics ever unearthed in the United States; and11
WHEREAS, in 1989, these items went on exhibit in the tribal burial mound museum12
to be studied by scholars and enjoyed by visitors from around the world; and13
WHEREAS, construction of a new museum is now underway as part of a unique14
educational and cultural complex, the Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resources15
Center, to include such elements as a library, conservation laboratory, auditorium, gift shop,16
conference rooms, and long-distance learning classrooms; a unique facility, second to none,17
located on a Native American reservation; and18
WHEREAS, future plans for conservation and academic exploration of Tunica-Biloxi19
archeology will be developed in partnership with state universities that will offer higher20
education curricula and degree program opportunities; and21
WHEREAS, the economic impact of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has contributed to the22
rejuvenation of service economies in central Louisiana and has brought much needed23
employment and prosperity to citizens of the state as a whole; and24
WHEREAS, Paragon Casino and Resort, operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, is a25
vital partner in the commerce of the region; and26
WHEREAS, the political leadership of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has27
consistently exhibited great honor, integrity, foresightedness, honesty, and solicitude for its28
people, thus constituting a major force for progress in the state of Louisiana, the parish of29
Avoyelles, and those municipalities surrounding its reservation, to the benefit of all; and30 SR NO. 97
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WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has shared its outstanding contributions of1
economic stimulus and of a wealth of sacred anthropological antiquities with all of2
Louisiana.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4
does hereby commend the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its spirit of community and5
culture and does hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 2, 2012, as Tunica-Biloxi Day at the6
Senate.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the8
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.9
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tammy Crain Waldrop.
DIGEST
LaFleur SR No.
Commends the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its many contributions and proclaims
May 2, 2012 as Tunica Biloxi Day.