ENROLLED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 234
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
A RESOLUTION
To commend Barbara Franklin upon her 2017 induction into the Louisiana Folklife Center
Hall of Master Folk Artists.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Folklife Center is an agency of Northwestern State
University of Louisiana and was established in 1976; and
WHEREAS, the Folklife Center serves as an archival repository for many folklife
materials; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Franklin embarked on a career of working with her hands at
a young age; and
WHEREAS, a visit to the French Quarter in New Orleans exposed Barbara Franklin
to a variety of black dolls and provided inspiration for her to use her talents to pursue the
creation of cloth dolls similar to those she had seen; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Franklin's craft and artistic talents have resulted in her regular
participation in numerous arts and crafts festivals around Louisiana, including the New
Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Black Heritage Festival, the Celebration of the
African Child in Congo Square in New Orleans, the Sugarfest in Port Allen, the Melrose
Arts and Crafts Festival in Natchitoches, FestForAll in Baton Rouge, and the Arts Council
of Greater Baton Rouge's Arts Market; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Franklin endeavors to encourage others and pass her craft onto
future generations by conducting educational workshops in libraries throughout Louisiana
that instruct educators who can teach their students how to make cloth dolls; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Franklin has been an ambassador for her craft and the heritage
of Louisiana by referring to herself as "Barbara W. Franklin, African American Multicultural
Folk Doll Artist. That means I make dolls of all different cultures."; and
Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 234 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, Barbara Franklin merits a special measure of commendation upon her
2017 induction into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Barbara Franklin upon her induction into the
Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists and does hereby extend to her every
good wish for continued success, prosperity, and happiness in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Barbara Franklin.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 2 of 2