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