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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 20
BY SENATOR PERRY
SENATE. Recognizes April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the Capitol.
A RESOLUTION1
To recognize April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the Louisiana 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 SR NO. 20
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populated by a tantalizing selection of restaurants which offer such Cajun and Creole1
delicacies as seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffe, and jambalaya; and2
WHEREAS, Acadiana is famous for the Cajun and Zydeco music that is born out of3
the enduring spirit of Acadians and Creoles and is a place where fais do-dos invite listeners4
to two-step to the rhythms of accordions, fiddles, and 'tit fers; and5
WHEREAS, in Acadiana, festivals are as much a part of daily life as good music and6
good food, with year-round festivals, including Mardi Gras, Festival International de7
Louisiane, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, the "Le Cajun" Music Awards and Festival,8
the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, Best of the Bayou9
Festival, Louisiana Cotton Festival, Duck Festival, Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival, and10
"A Cajun Christmas", a festival that extends throughout the holiday season; and11
WHEREAS, in its cuisine, music, and culture, the people of Acadiana are12
characterized by a cheerful enjoyment of life, what the French call "joie de vivre", that is13
reflective of a unique heritage and culture that is hard to find anywhere this side of Europe;14
and15
WHEREAS, Acadiana offers a multitude of attractions that mirror the pride Acadiana16
holds for its past, including majestic plantation homes, vibrant gardens, and exciting17
museums; and18
WHEREAS, Cajun Country is a prime example of why Louisiana is called the19
"Sportsman's Paradise" and is a place where both freshwater and saltwater fishing, waterfowl20
hunting, and upland hunting areas are plentiful, from the vast swamp wilderness of the21
Atchafalaya Basin to the Gulf of Mexico; and22
WHEREAS, in 1971, the Legislature of Louisiana officially recognized Acadiana for23
its unique Cajun and Acadian heritage per House Concurrent Resolution No. 496.24
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana25
does hereby recognize April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the Louisiana State Capitol to26
celebrate the cuisine, Grammy Award winning music, and culture of Cajun Country.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the28
Acadian Delegation.29 SR NO. 20
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Perry SR No. 20
Recognizes April 23, 2014, as Acadiana Day at the Capitol.