HLS 17RS-1208 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 45
BY REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CARTER
HISTORIC COMMEMORATI ON: Recognizes and commemorates the bicentennial of the
incorporation of the city of Baton Rouge
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To recognize and commemorate the bicentennial of Baton Rouge's incorporation as a city,
3 and to encourage participation in the year-long Baton Rouge bicentennial
4 celebration.
5 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commemorate the bicentennial of the incorporation
6of the city of Baton Rouge as the city's unique history and heritage are celebrated; and
7 WHEREAS, the city of Baton Rouge was incorporated two hundred years ago this
8year through legislation entitled "An Act to regulate the police and government of the town
9of Baton Rouge"; and
10 WHEREAS, this measure was approved on January 17, 1817, by Jacques Villeré,
11Louisiana's second governor, at a time when Acts of the Legislature were not numbered and
12were printed in both English and French; and
13 WHEREAS, since the time of the first European settlement in 1721 of the place that
14would become Baton Rouge, seven flags have flown over this city, including the Fleur de
15Lys of the French Bourbons, the crosses of England, the arms of Castile, the blue banner and
16white star of the West Florida Republic, the stars and stripes of the United States of America,
17the stars and bars of the Confederate States of America, and the banner of the sovereign state
18of Louisiana for a short period during the Civil War; and
19 WHEREAS, a committee formed under the administration of former mayor Melvin
20L. "Kip" Holden and composed of representatives from Baton Rouge businesses, nonprofit
21organizations, and institutions has worked diligently to promote the Baton Rouge
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HCR NO. 45
1bicentennial brand and logo to the public, and to build the city's year-long bicentennial
2celebration as an ongoing grassroots effort led by citizens who call Baton Rouge home; and
3 WHEREAS, the celebration of the Baton Rouge bicentennial began under Mayor
4Holden and continues under the administration of Mayor Sharon Weston Broome; and
5 WHEREAS, the bicentennial's official kickoff event took place on December 31,
62016, at Red Stick Revelry, Baton Rouge's annual New Year's Eve festival; and
7 WHEREAS, the year-long bicentennial celebration will culminate under Mayor
8Broome's leadership at Red Stick Revelry in 2017; and
9 WHEREAS, the bicentennial of Baton Rouge merits special recognition, for it
10celebrates the tremendous pride and honor that the city, with its rich history and distinctive
11culture, has brought to our state and to the United States for the past two centuries.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
13recognize and commemorate the bicentennial of Baton Rouge's incorporation as a city on
14January 17, 1817.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all people within and outside of Louisiana's
16borders are hereby welcomed and encouraged to take part in the year-long Baton Rouge
17bicentennial celebration.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
19to the mayor-president of the city of Baton Rouge and parish of East Baton Rouge, to each
20member of the Metropolitan Council of the city of Baton Rouge and parish of East Baton
21Rouge, and to the president and chief executive officer of Visit Baton Rouge.
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 45 Original 2017 Regular Session Steve Carter
Recognizes and commemorates the bicentennial of Baton Rouge's incorporation as a city,
and encourages participation in the year-long Baton Rouge bicentennial celebration.
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