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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 174
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Earl Barbry, Sr., Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
chairman, upon receipt of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United South and
Eastern Tribes, Inc.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Earl Barbry, Sr., Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman, upon receipt of2
a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United South and Eastern Tribes,3
Incorporated.4
WHEREAS, United South and Eastern Tribes, Incorporated (USET) recently created5
an honor, to be awarded annually, for lifetime achievement and service to the organization6
and Indian Country; and7
WHEREAS, USET's goal is to recognize not only outstanding achievements within8
a tribe, but to honor leadership and advocacy to fellow Indian nations and to promote and9
protect sovereignty and lift the bitter yoke of poverty; and10
WHEREAS, the inaugural USET Lifetime Achievement Award was recently given11
to Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Earl Barbry, Sr; and12
WHEREAS, as the first recipient, USET has also named the honor the Earl Barbry,13
Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award; and14
WHEREAS, Chairman Barbry was raised on the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in15
Marksville, where he was elected Tribal Chairman in 1978 and appointed Tribal16
Administrator that same year, capacities in which he continues to serve; and17
WHEREAS, Chairman Barbry has overseen the construction of major housing18
developments, paved roads, a tribal center, a court complex, a welfare office, a hotel-casino19 HLS 13RS-3773 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 174
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recreation complex and a new multimillion dollar cultural and education center on the1
Reservation; and2
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received federal3
recognition in September of 1981 and repatriated artifacts looted from its eighteenth century4
cemetery near St. Francisville; and5
WHEREAS, Chairman Barbry was named the recipient of the Avoyellean of the6
Year Award in 1993 by the Avoyelles Journal, the highest award given in the parish; and7
WHEREAS, in 1996, Chairman Barbry was named the Minority Businessman of the8
Year by the Marksville Chamber of Commerce and subsequently received the 20059
Leadership Award of the National Indian Gaming Association; and10
WHEREAS, in 2006, Chairman Barbry was named a Louisiana Legend by Louisiana11
Public Broadcasting in recognition of his cultural, educational, and economic contributions12
to the region and the state; he was the first American Indian to receive this honor; and13
WHEREAS, in December 2011, Chairman Barbry was awarded an honorary14
doctorate of humane letters by Northwestern State University; and15
WHEREAS, Chairman Barbry serves in a leadership capacity in the Louisiana Inter-16
Tribal Council, an organization that serves federal- and state-recognized Indian17
communities; and18
WHEREAS, Chairman Barbry is a nationally known American Indian leader, serving19
on the board of the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., representing federally20
acknowledged tribes from Louisiana to Maine; and21
WHEREAS, USET President commended Chairman Barbry for his "leadership",22
"years of service", and "honor to his sacred duties".23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the24
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Earl Barbry, Sr., Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of25
Louisiana chairman, upon his receipt of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United26
South and Eastern Tribes, Incorporated.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted28
to Earl Barbry, Sr.29 HLS 13RS-3773 ORIGINAL
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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)]
Johnson HR No. 174
Commends Earl Barbry, Sr., Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of La. chairman, upon receipt of a Lifetime
Achievement Award from the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.