2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 117
BY SENATOR WALSWORTH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To create and provide for the Louisiana Historical Archives Task Force to study the
conditions, issues, needs, and problems relative to the preservation of the state's
historical archives and records and to recommend any action or legislation that the
task force deems necessary or appropriate.
WHEREAS, the history of Louisiana stretches back centuries and its cultural heritage
includes the original Native American inhabitants as well as the descendants of settlers from
almost every nationality on earth who have contributed to the unique food, music, and art
of the state; and
WHEREAS, emerging from this rich and varied history are treasures of print, visual,
audio, and digital records of the many faces, lives, and experiences of the people of the state;
and
WHEREAS, it is vital that such records be preserved so that future generations may
know, understand, and celebrate Louisiana's important place in world history; and
WHEREAS, experts on archiving of historical records should evaluate the efforts,
methods, and techniques that are currently being utilized and should evaluate the efforts that
other states, museums, and archives are undertaking to preserve treasured historical records
and should recommend an appropriate archiving system to Louisiana so they are readily
accessible to the public.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
create the Louisiana Historical Archives Task Force to study the conditions, needs, issues,
and problems relative to the preservation of precious print, visual, audio, and digital
historical records and to recommend any action or legislation that the commission deems
necessary or appropriate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force created herein shall consist of the
following sixteen members:
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 117 ENROLLED
(1) Two members of the Senate appointed by the president, one who shall be
designated by the president as the chairperson.
(2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker.
(3) The lieutenant governor, or his designee.
(4) The secretary of state, or his designee.
(5) The secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, or his
designee.
(6) The executive director of Preserve Louisiana, or his designee.
(7) The executive director of the Historic New Orleans Collection, or his designee.
(8) The secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, or his designee.
(9) The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.
(10) The president of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, or his designee.
(11) The commissioner of administration, or his designee.
(12) The head of the Louisiana Research Collection at Tulane University.
(13) The president of the Southern University System, or his designee.
(14) A representative of the African American Heritage Museum.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting such study, the task force shall
study current technologies, methods, and policy in Louisiana and other states, and shall elicit
views from experts in the fields of preservation, archiving, collecting, and storing of
historical records and documents.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the commission shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the task force, and any official action taken by the task force shall
require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may conduct such meetings at
such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and
effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this
Resolution.
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 117 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall make a report of its findings
and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature
no later than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2018 Regular Session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this task force shall terminate on March 1, 2018.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 3 of 3