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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 54
BY SENATOR MILLS AND REPRESENTATIVES TERRY LANDRY AND BARRAS
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the city of New Iberia, Louisiana for being nationally
recognized as a 2013 historic rebound town by Cable News Network.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend the city of New Iberia, Louisiana for being nationally recognized as a 20132
historic rebound town by Cable News Network (CNN).3
WHEREAS, in March 2013, CNN reviewed small towns across the nation that were4
commended for their inspirational, small town come back tales; and5
WHEREAS, CNN writer, Jordan Rane, listed New Iberia, Louisiana as a historic6
rebound town, naming the city as "Reborn on the bayou"; and7
WHEREAS, in 1779 the city of New Iberia was founded by a group of five hundred8
colonists who established a settlement around Spanish Lake, and originally called the town9
"Nueva Iberia" in honor of the Iberia Peninsula, and the French referred to the town as10
"Nouvelle Iberie" while the American settlers called it "New Town"; and11
WHEREAS, the vintage bayou town's main street was a barren row of boarded-up12
shops for an estimated ten years, with decaying landmark art deco theaters like The13
Evangeline; and14
WHEREAS, the city's latest renaissance has produced a Great American Street15
Award and a revitalized commercial district featuring popular Cajun and Creole eateries,16
rows of exciting new shopping experiences, as well as the beautifully restored Evangeline17
Theater, renamed the Sliman Theater, that hosts live concerts that attract fans from across18 SCR NO. 54
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the United States and abroad; and1
WHEREAS, numerous high points still color New Iberia, including the pin-up2
antebellum mansion known as Shadows on the Teche, the world renowned Tabasco factory,3
and the two-hundred fifty acre Jungle Gardens at Avery Island, Louisiana, seven miles south4
of New Iberia; and5
WHEREAS, New Iberia, Louisiana, is listed as one of eight cities across the country6
noted for its community efforts to revive the local economy, making the city and its people7
a popular attraction; and8
WHEREAS, the city is listed alongside Coronado, California, "The little peninsula9
that could"; Paducah Kentucky "Small town with big art"; Frederick, Maryland, "After the10
flood-cute, shopping"; Ely, Nevada, "The mettle of nowhere"; Deland, Florida, "Classic11
revivalist"; and El Dorado, Arkansas, "Raising the boom"; and12
WHEREAS, Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Janet Faulk-13
Gonzales indicated that in 2005, New Iberia was the first city in Louisiana to be awarded the14
Great American Main Street Award; and15
WHEREAS, credited for her planning and zoning, City Director Jane Braud works16
to make New Iberia a tourist destination to visitors and residents alike; and17
WHEREAS, New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry indicates CNN's spotlight is a18
tremendous honor for the city and praises all investors, business owners, workers, residents19
and visitors who contributed to this distinction; and20
WHEREAS, Jane Braud indicates by 1993, twelve historic buildings were vacant and21
in dire need of repair, while business owners, the Main Street Program, and local22
government were asked to invest in restoration projects; and23
WHEREAS, what is unique about New Iberia's revitalization is that investors are24
moving into restored buildings and remain deeply invested in the city; and25
WHEREAS, Fran Thibodeaux, executive director of the Iberia Parish Convention26
and Visitor's Bureau, indicates this is the second time that CNN has recognized New Iberia27
as an amazing city.28
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana29
does hereby extend its highest commendations to the city of New Iberia, Louisiana, for being30 SCR NO. 54
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recognized as a 2013 historic rebound town by Cable News Network.1
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to2
Chamber President, Janet Faulk-Gonzales, City Director of Planning and Zoning, Jane3
Braud, Mayor Hilda Curry, and Executive Director of the Iberia Parish Convention and4
Visitors Bureau, Fran Thibodeaux.5
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle Broussard-Johnson.
DIGEST
Mills SCR No. 54
Commends the city of New Iberia, Louisiana, for being nationally recognized as a 2013
historic rebound town by CNN.