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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 13
BY REPRESENTATIVE PIERRE
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the state
capitol
A RESOLUTION1
To recognize April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the state capitol.2
WHEREAS, Acadiana is the home of the Cajuns, the descendants of the Acadians,3
who settled along the bayous and prairies of southwest Louisiana after their expulsion from4
the colony of Acadie in present-day Nova Scotia in 1755; and5
WHEREAS, Acadiana includes twenty-two parishes, and stretches from its western6
border of Lake Charles to its eastern border of Grand Isle, with its northern apex located7
around Pointe Coupee; and8
WHEREAS, despite the frequent association of Cajuns with swamplands, Acadiana9
is geographically diverse, and consists of prairies, marshes, and wooded river or bayou10
lands; and11
WHEREAS, Acadiana evinces a commitment to education, and boasts the presence12
of three universities: the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State University,13
and Nicholls State University; and14
WHEREAS, Acadiana is characterized by a diverse population that is nonetheless15
united by the incredibly rich musical, cultural, and culinary traditions of the Cajuns and16
Creoles; and17
WHEREAS, Acadiana is renowned for wide-ranging and spicy cuisine and is18
populated by a tantalizing selection of restaurants which offer such Cajun and Creole19
delicacies as seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffe, and jambalaya; and20 HLS 14RS-1038 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 13
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WHEREAS, Acadiana is famous for the Cajun and Zydeco music that is born out of1
the enduring spirit of Acadians and Creoles and is a place where fais do-dos invite listeners2
to two-step to the rhythms of accordians, fiddles, and 'tit fers; and3
WHEREAS, in Acadiana, festivals are as much a part of daily life as good music and4
good food, with year-round festivals, including Mardi Gras, Festival International de5
Louisiane, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, the "Le Cajun" Music Awards and Festival,6
the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, Best of the Bayou7
Festival, Louisiana Cotton Festival, Duck Festival, Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival, and8
"A Cajun Christmas", a festival that extends throughout the holiday season; and9
WHEREAS, in its cuisine, music, and culture, the people of Acadiana are10
characterized by a cheerful enjoyment of life, what the French call "joie de vivre", that is11
reflective of a unique heritage and culture that is hard to find anywhere this side of Europe;12
and13
WHEREAS, Acadiana offers a multitude of attractions that mirror the pride Acadiana14
holds for its past, including majestic plantation homes, vibrant gardens, and exciting15
museums; and16
WHEREAS, Cajun Country is a prime example of why Louisiana is called the17
"Sportsman's Paradise" and is a place where both freshwater and saltwater fishing, waterfowl18
hunting, and upland hunting areas are plentiful, from the vast swamp wilderness of the19
Atchafalaya Basin to the Gulf of Mexico; and20
WHEREAS, in 1971, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana21
officially recognized Acadiana for its unique Cajun and Acadian heritage per House22
Concurrent Resolution No. 496.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the24
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the state25
capitol to celebrate the cuisine, Grammy Award winning music, and culture of Cajun26
Country.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted28
to the Acadian Delegation.29 HLS 14RS-1038 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 13
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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)]
Pierre HR No. 13
Recognizes April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the state capitol.