2015 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 38 BY SENATORS MORRELL, ALARIO AND MURRAY A RESOLUTION To commend Johnny Jackson Jr. for founding the Gospel Is Alive Celebration concert and for his advocacy for the youth and senior citizens in the greater New Orleans area. WHEREAS, born in 1943, Mr. Jackson is a proud native of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans; and WHEREAS, throughout his adult life, Mr. Jackson has been actively involved in public service, tirelessly advocating to improve the quality of life and cultural experiences available for all of his constituents; and WHEREAS, in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. was established as the nonprofit owner of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a mission to sow the seeds of Louisiana's unique culture for future generations; and WHEREAS, since 1975, Mr. Jackson has served on the board of the foundation, and consistent with New Orleans' rich tradition of gospel music, he became a passionate proponent of the Gospel Is Alive Celebration as a foundation-sponsored outreach program to area youth and senior citizens; and WHEREAS, the Gospel Is Alive Celebration has become an annual gospel concert consistently attracting legendary artists as headliners and often including local youth and senior choirs in performances; and WHEREAS, admission to the concert is free for the public, making it a very popular field trip for area school groups and senior groups; and WHEREAS, in honor of his hard work and dedication to this wonderful event, the foundation has named this year's event The Johnny Jackson Jr. Gospel Is Alive Celebration; and WHEREAS, in addition to his service with the foundation, Mr. Jackson has been elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and the New Orleans City Council and served in the Constitutional Convention of 1973 and on numerous national, state and local boards, commissions, councils, committees, and foundations; and Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 38 ENROLLED WHEREAS, consistent in all of his public service, Mr. Jackson passionately advocates for the most vulnerable populations, the young and the elderly. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Johnny Jackson Jr. for founding the Gospel Is Alive concert and for his advocacy for the youth and senior citizens in the greater New Orleans area. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Johnny Jackson Jr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Page 2 of 2