HLS 14RS-3588 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 89
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROSSETT
COMMENDATIONS: Celebrates the grand re-opening of the Carver Theatre in New
Orleans and recognizes the life and legacy of George Washington Carver
A RESOLUTION1
To celebrate the official ribbon cutting for the grand re-opening of the Carver Theater in2
New Orleans on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, and to recognize the life and legacy of3
George Washington Carver.4
WHEREAS, the Carver Theater, named after George Washington Carver, opened in5
New Orleans on September 29, 1950, to great fanfare where it was hailed as "America's first6
theater for colored patrons" and boasted a "spacious powder room and lounge with a maid7
in attendance at all times for the comfort of ladies"; and8
WHEREAS, the Carver Theater, a movie theater located on Orleans Avenue in the9
Treme neighborhood, was designed by Dallas-based architect Jack Corgan with all seating10
on a single floor and designed specifically to cater to a Negro audience; and11
WHEREAS, as a state-of-the-art movie theater, the Carver Theater was a centerpiece12
for activities in the Treme neighborhood and later, from 1992 through August 2005, the13
Carver Theater served as the Carver Medical Clinic, primarily serving the medical needs of14
residents of the Lafitte Housing Development; and15
WHEREAS, the flood waters visited upon the city in the aftermath of Hurricane16
Katrina in late August and early September 2005, caused irreparable damage to the Carver17
Medical Clinic closing the building completely; and18 HLS 14RS-3588 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 89
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WHEREAS, the owner of the building, Dr. Eugene Oppman, decided to return the1
Carver Theater to its proper place as a community entertainment venue by restoring the2
facade to its original condition and completing the necessary cosmetic repairs to enable the3
historic structure to serve primarily as a music venue; and4
WHEREAS, the Carver Theater will provide performance space and opportunities5
for many people in the New Orleans performing arts community and the hope is that it will6
draw performers from outside the immediate geographical area which, in turn, will spur7
economic development as well as pride to this once vibrant corridor in the Treme8
neighborhood; and9
WHEREAS, the Carver Theater is most appropriately named in honor of George10
Washington Carver, a black man who rose from slavery to become one of the world's most11
respected and honored scientists who through his devotion to understanding the nature and12
uses of plant life developed the practice of crop rotation to preserve the nutrients in soil and13
discovered numerous different products derived from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and pecans.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the15
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby celebrate the official ribbon cutting for the grand re-16
opening of the Carver Theater in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, and17
recognizes the life and legacy of George Washington Carver.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted19
to Dr. Eugene Oppman.20
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)]
Brossett HR No. 89
Celebrates the official ribbon cutting for the grand re-opening of the Carver Theater in New
Orleans and recognizes the life and legacy of George Washington Carver.