ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 222
BY REPRESENTATIVES JAMES, BADON, BARROW, WESLEY BI SHOP, BURRELL,
COX, DIXON, FRANKLIN, GAINES, HONORE, HUNTER, KATRINA
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
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend Lawrence Jackson upon the occasion of his retirement as the Southern
University band director and thank 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.
WHEREAS, after ten years as the head band director of the world-renowned "Human
Jukebox" at Southern University, Lawrence Jackson has announced his retirement effective
July 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS, nicknamed "Crowley" after his hometown in Louisiana, Lawrence
Jackson played tuba in the Southern band from 1971 through 1975, where he served as
section leader and won several band awards including most outstanding bandsman and the
top grade point average; Jackson also worked part-time for the band for five years, and has
worked full-time for the band for eighteen years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson is a graduate of Southern University receiving his Bachelor
of Science Degree in Instrumental Music Education and a Master's in School
Administration; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Southern University in 1975 Mr. Jackson
continued his studies at Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, after which
time he married and managed several convenience stores before landing a job in 1976 as
director of bands at Clinton High School, in Clinton, Louisiana; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 222
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WHEREAS, the appointment as director of bands at Clinton High School included
responsibility for the band programs at Clinton Elementary and Middle Schools; and
WHEREAS, while at Clinton High School, Mr. Jackson led his band to receive
awards of excellence and superior ratings at District IV Concert Band and Solo/Small
Ensemble Festivals; superior ratings and sweepstakes winner at Southern University Concert
Band Festival; and superior ratings at the Festival of Champions National Concert Band
Festival in Panama City, Florida; and
WHEREAS, in 1996, after serving as director of bands at Clinton High School for
twenty years, Jackson accepted a position of assistant band director at Southern University
and was later promoted to associate director of bands; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his responsibilities as band director, he has served as
adjudicator for marching and concert band festivals throughout Louisiana, Texas, and
Michigan, and has appeared as guest conductor and clinician in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama,
and Georgia; and
WHEREAS, under the baton of Lawrence Jackson, in 2013, the National Collegiate
Athletic Association named its top college marching bands and the "Human Jukebox"
finished second behind the Ohio State marching band; a ranking that Mr. Jackson was most
proud of because, as he said, "Ohio State has a million dollar budget and we have a bubble
gum budget compared to them."; and
WHEREAS, while serving as director of bands at Southern University, he also served
as one of three staff arrangers in the band department, conductor of the brass choir,
woodwind ensemble, basketball pep band, and saxophone ensemble; and
WHEREAS, Jackson was also an adjunct professor of music in the Department of
Visual and Performing Arts at Southern University; and
WHEREAS, he is a member of Greater King David Baptist Church where he serves
as Director and Conductor of the King David Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, his honorary and professional affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi
Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, and the College Band Director's National
Association, Music Educators National Conference, Louisiana Music Educators Association. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 222
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Mr. Lawrence Jackson.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE