ENROLLED
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 5
BY REPRESENTATIVE LORUSSO AND SENATOR APPEL
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the citizens of Louisiana to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the
inauguration of George Washington as president of the United States.
WHEREAS, in the annals of every great nation, there are leaders whose legacy will
endure through the ages, and George Washington was one such leader; and
WHEREAS, as president, George Washington led the nation through its first and
perhaps most difficult years by remaining faithful to the principles upon which it was
founded and, in so doing, he established the standard that every president since has hoped
to emulate; and
WHEREAS, on April 30, 2014, the nation commemorates the 225th anniversary of
his inauguration; and
WHEREAS, revered for his leadership during the Revolutionary War, Washington
was elected to office by a unanimous electoral vote in 1788, and dutifully answered the call
to serve his country as president, even though it required great personal sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, although Washington had served his country loyally for many years as
a soldier and statesman and had looked forward to retirement at his beloved home at Mount
Vernon, he nevertheless was also thoroughly aware of the young nation's vulnerability, and
thus the man who had helped the United States to gain independence from Great Britain now
agreed to help give it a firm footing; and
WHEREAS, George Washington neither sought nor desired political power, loved
liberty and trusted the American people, and believed that the American people were not
only entitled to a system of self-government but were also capable of keeping it; and
WHEREAS, on April 30, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated before a
jubilant crowd at Federal Hall in New York City; after taking the oath of office, the new ENROLLEDHCR NO. 5
Page 2 of 2
president kissed the Bible, and the crowd thunderously voiced its approval joined in its
celebration by the exultant peals of the city's church bells; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the state of Louisiana should join other states
in commemorating the 225th anniversary of George Washington's first inauguration to honor
the life and achievements of this extraordinary American; and
WHEREAS, in honoring the leadership and service of George Washington,
Louisiana can inspire future generations to contribute their own talents, energy, and
resources to the betterment of our state and nation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the citizens of Louisiana to commemorate April 30, 2014, as a day to
celebrate the 225th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as president of
the United States, and invites houses of worship to celebrate this anniversary by ringing bells
simultaneously, for two full minutes, or undertaking other appropriate activities at 12:00
noon on April 30, 2014, as a tribute to the first president of this nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby expresses
its appreciation to the Louisiana Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America
for lending its leadership to a statewide commemoration of this historic milestone in our
nation's history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE