HLS 15RS-1886 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 46
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
COMMENDATIONS: Commends the Louisiana Living History Foundation and its partners
for the bicentennial reenactment of the Battle of New Orleans
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend the Louisiana Living History Foundation and its partners upon the reenactment
3 of the Battle of New Orleans marking the bicentennial of the battle.
4 WHEREAS, in its endeavor to celebrate the bicentennial of the Battle of New
5Orleans, the Louisiana Living History Foundation assembled the largest collection of people
6in 1812-era uniforms since the War of 1812; and
7 WHEREAS, thanks to the efforts of the Louisiana Living History Foundation, one
8thousand five hundred eighty-eight participants from Canada, the United Kingdom,
9Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the United States took formations as the
10British and American armies of 1815 and reenacted the five battles of the Louisiana
11campaign that constituted the Battle of New Orleans; and
12 WHEREAS, through the generosity of its partners, the Honorable James Coleman,
13Terry Tedesco, and the Joseph & Arlene Meraux Charitable Foundations, the foundation
14transformed a twenty-five acre plot of land into an historically accurate replica of the 1815
15Chalmette Battlefield, including the ramparts of Line Jackson, on property just a mile away
16from the actual battlefield site; and
17 WHEREAS, without constructing this "Living History Park", the bicentennial
18reenactment could not have occurred because it is illegal, under federal law, to reenact a
19battle on national park property; and
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HR NO. 46
1 WHEREAS, more than fifteen thousand visitors were on hand to witness this
2bicentennial event during the first weekend in January 2015; the visitors met more than six
3hundred historical reenactors who camped on the field in Chalmette in period character; and
4 WHEREAS, more than three thousand school children attended, learning the
5importance of the Battle of New Orleans in the history of the state and the nation; and
6 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Living History Foundation's reenactment of the Battle of
7New Orleans was the largest tourism event in the history of St. Bernard Parish, bringing
8millions of dollars into the local economy; and
9 WHEREAS, generous support from the St. Bernard Parish sheriff's office, fire
10department, and parish government allowed the Louisiana Living History Foundation to put
11on the largest bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812, but the enterprise was otherwise
12financed almost completely with private contributions; and
13 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Living History Foundation plans to make the five-battle
14reenactment experience an annual event to forever keep alive the memory of the valiant
15heros of the Battle of New Orleans who saved the relatively young nation of the United
16States from being ripped asunder; and
17 WHEREAS, the reenactment of the Battle of New Orleans promises to make
18Louisiana a nexus of living historical tourism in North America; more than seven hundred
19reenactors have already pledged to attend the 2016 event, which will bring millions of
20dollars in economic impact to St. Bernard Parish and the state economy; and
21 WHEREAS, a goal of the Louisiana Living History Foundation is that the permanent
22Meraux Living History Park will venerate not only the Battle of New Orleans but will be
23available to other historical groups for battle reenactments throughout the year.
24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
25Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Louisiana Living History Foundation
26and the organizers of the foundation's Battle of New Orleans reenactment and does hereby
27express the pride of the citizens of Louisiana in the efforts of the foundation to maintain such
28a vital part of the heritage of the state and nation.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
30to the executive director of the Louisiana Living History Foundation.
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HR NO. 46
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)]
HR 46 Original 2015 Regular Session Garofalo
Commends the La. Living History Foundation and partners for the bicentennial reenactment
of the Battle of New Orleans.
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