HLS 15RS-1522 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 72
BY REPRESENTATIVES JAMES, BADON, BARROW, WESLEY BISHOP, BOUIE,
BURRELL, COX, FRANKLIN, GAINES, HALL, HONORE, HUNTER,
JACKSON, JEFFERSON, TERRY LANDRY, NORTON, PIERRE, PRICE,
SMITH, THIERRY, ALFRED WILLIAMS, PATRICK WILLIAMS, AND
WOODRUFF AND SENATORS BROOME, BROWN, DORSEY-COLOMB,
GALLOT, GUILLORY, MORRELL, MURRAY, PETERSON, AND TARVER
HIGHER EDUCATION: Recognizes Wednesday, April 22
nd
as Southern University Day
at the state capitol
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To recognize Wednesday, April 22, 2015, as Southern University Day at the state capitol
3 and to commend and congratulate the Southern University System on celebrating its
4 one hundred thirty-five year history of providing higher educational opportunities
5 to African American students; on leading the way in making such opportunities
6 available to students of all races and all backgrounds; on preparing and nurturing
7 many influential leaders in the state and in the country; and on playing a critically
8 important role in the development of Louisiana and the nation.
9 WHEREAS, the Southern University System began in New Orleans, Louisiana, in
101880, when a group of black politicians led by former United States Senator P.B.S.
11Pinchback of New Orleans, joined by T.T. Allain of Iberville Parish and Henry Demas of
12St. John the Baptist Parish, petitioned the state constitutional convention to establish a school
13of higher learning for "colored" people, and, as a result, Act 87 of 1880 was enacted and
14Southern University came into existence; and
15 WHEREAS, the passage of the Second Morrill Act of 1890 provided for the
16establishment of an agricultural and mechanical department for African Americans with
17support from the state and federal governments and, as a result, Southern University was
18reorganized as a land-grant institution with separate divisions for agriculture and mechanical
19arts; and
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HCR NO. 72
1 WHEREAS, the university moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge in 1912
2pursuant to Act 118 of 1912 and opened on its new site in 1914 under the leadership of Dr.
3J.S. Clark where its curriculum was expanded through two-year college degrees; and
4 WHEREAS, from a school with twelve students, five faculty members, a ten
5thousand dollar budget, and a vision, Southern University has developed into a university
6system that is a national treasure with five campuses offering baccalaureate degree
7programs, associate degree programs, master degree programs, doctoral programs, and a law
8degree program; and
9 WHEREAS, although the leaders of this state, nation, and the world who were
10educated at one of the Southern University System campuses are too numerous to
11innumerate, it is important to distinguish that Southern University's School of Nursing has
12twice been awarded school of the year and its teaching staff is among the most recognized
13professionals in their fields of study; graduates of the College of Engineering play
14significant, creative, and administrative roles at companies such as IBM, ExxonMobil,
15Entergy, Caterpillar Corp., Raytheon, Dow Chemical, and Chevron; graduates of the College
16of Business are employed at many of the top 40 corporations in the world; and Southern
17University scientists have conducted research that has become useful applications in the
18study of outer space, the preservation of food, protection of trees, soil and water, along with
19high-speed information networks; and
20 WHEREAS, ten Southern University graduates have earned the rank of General in
21the United States Army and one in the United States Marine Corps; and
22 WHEREAS, many of those persons who are grateful for the opportunity and
23education provided them by Southern University serve as elected members of this Louisiana
24Legislature; and
25 WHEREAS, Southern University merits a special measure of recognition upon the
26celebration of its exemplary education tradition proving that a dream in 1880 has today
27become a living legacy of determination, commitment, and success that now spans one
28hundred thirty-five years.
29 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
30Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Wednesday, April 22, 2015, as Southern
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HCR NO. 72
1University Day at the state capitol, does hereby recognize and record for posterity the pride
2and honor that Southern University brings to the state of Louisiana, does hereby express
3sincere appreciation for its singular legacy of excellence, and does hereby extend to the
4entire Southern University family best wishes upon this memorable day.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
6to the president of the Southern University System.
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)]
HCR 72 Original 2015 Regular Session James
Recognizes Wednesday, April 22, 2015, as Southern University Day at the state capitol and
commends and congratulates the Southern University System on celebrating its history of
providing one hundred thirty-five years of higher educational opportunities.
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