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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 222
BY REPRESENTATIVES JAMES, BADON, BARROW, WESLEY BISHOP, BURRELL,
COX, DIXON, FRANKLIN, GAINES, HONORE, HUNTER, KATRI NA
JACKSON, JEFFERSON, TERRY LANDRY, NORTON, PIERRE, PRICE,
SMITH, THIERRY, ALFRED WILLIAMS, AND WOODRUFF AND SENATORS
BROOME, DORSEY-COLOMB, GALLOT, GUILLORY, MORRELL, MURRAY,
PETERSON, AND TARVER
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Lawrence Jackson on his retirement as band director at
Southern University
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend Lawrence Jackson upon the occasion of his retirement as the Southern2
University band director and thank him for his many years of service representing3
the state of Louisiana to the world through the "Human Jukebox" and for his service4
to the youth of this state through the sharing of his love of music.5
WHEREAS, after ten years as the head band director of the world-renowned "Human6
Jukebox" at Southern University, Lawrence Jackson has announced his retirement effective7
July 1, 2014; and8
WHEREAS, nicknamed "Crowley" after his hometown in Louisiana, Lawrence9
Jackson played tuba in the Southern band from 1971 through 1975, where he served as10
section leader and won several band awards including most outstanding bandsman and the11
top grade point average; Jackson also worked part-time for the band for five years, and has12
worked full-time for the band for eighteen years; and13
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson is a graduate of Southern University receiving his Bachelor14
of Science Degree in Instrumental Music Education and a Master's in School15
Administration; and16
WHEREAS, after graduating from Southern University in 1975 Mr. Jackson17
continued his studies at Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, after which18 HLS 14RS-6174 ORIGINAL
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time he married and managed several convenience stores before landing a job in 1976 as1
director of bands at Clinton High School, in Clinton, Louisiana; and2
WHEREAS, the appointment as director of bands at Clinton High School included3
responsibility for the band programs at Clinton Elementary and Middle Schools; and4
WHEREAS, while at Clinton High School, Mr. Jackson led his band to receive5
awards of excellence and superior ratings at District IV Concert Band and Solo/Small6
Ensemble Festivals; superior ratings and sweepstakes winner at Southern University Concert7
Band Festival; and superior ratings at the Festival of Champions National Concert Band8
Festival in Panama City, Florida; and9
WHEREAS, in 1996, after serving as director of bands at Clinton High School for10
twenty years, Jackson accepted a position of assistant band director at Southern University11
and was later promoted to associate director of bands; and12
WHEREAS, in addition to his responsibilities as band director, he has served as13
adjudicator for marching and concert band festivals throughout Louisiana, Texas, and14
Michigan, and has appeared as guest conductor and clinician in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama,15
and Georgia; and16
WHEREAS, under the baton of Lawrence Jackson, in 2013, the National Collegiate17
Athletic Association named its top college marching bands and the "Human Jukebox"18
finished second behind the Ohio State marching band; a ranking that Mr. Jackson was most19
proud of because, as he said, "Ohio State has a million dollar budget and we have a bubble20
gum budget compared to them."; and21
WHEREAS, while serving as director of bands at Southern University, he also served22
as one of three staff arrangers in the band department, conductor of the brass choir,23
woodwind ensemble, basketball pep band, and saxophone ensemble; and24
WHEREAS, Jackson was also an adjunct professor of music in the Department of25
Visual and Performing Arts at Southern University; and26
WHEREAS, he is a member of Greater King David Baptist Church where he serves27
as Director and Conductor of the King David Orchestra; and28 HLS 14RS-6174 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, his honorary and professional affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi1
Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, and the College Band Director's National2
Association, Music Educators National Conference, Louisiana Music Educators Association.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby4
commend Lawrence Jackson upon the occasion of his retirement as the Southern University5
Band Director and thanks him for his many years of service representing the state of6
Louisiana to the world through the "Human Jukebox" and for his service to the youth of this7
state through the sharing of his love of music.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted9
to Mr. Lawrence Jackson.10
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)]
James HCR No. 222
Commends Lawrence Jackson upon the occasion of his retirement as the Southern
University band director and thanks him for his many years of service representing the state
of Louisiana to the world through the "Human Jukebox" and for his service to the youth of
this state through the sharing of his love of music.