SLS 17RS-926 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 60
BY SENATOR PERRY
PUBLIC BUILDINGS/GROUNDS. Designates the grounds surrounding the Old Arsenal
Museum on the capitol grounds as The Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To authorize that the grounds surrounding the Old Arsenal Museum on the capitol grounds
3 be designated as "The Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park".
4 WHEREAS, Louisiana citizens have fought in every war America has engaged in
5 since the rebellion against Great Britain in 1776; and
6 WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal Museum originally served as part of Louisiana's largest
7 military complex of the day, functioning as a supply depot for weapons, powder, and
8 ammunition; and
9 WHEREAS, in its early days, military forces were housed inside this sprawling
10 complex as the location of the arsenal was strategically critical to maintaining control over
11 the region, and in 1816, Congress formally established the complex as the Baton Rouge
12 Arsenal and Ordnance Depot; and
13 WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Militia seized the Arsenal at the start of the Civil
14 War but could not hold it against Union Forces who recaptured the post in May of 1862; and
15 WHEREAS, the Confederate Army failed in an attempt to take back the Arsenal
16 during the Battle of Baton Rouge in August, 1862, in which the Arsenal came under heavy
17 fire but remained in the hands of Union forces and would remain in their hands for the rest
18 of the war; and
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SLS 17RS-926 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Louisiana military forces, throughout our history as a state, have been
2 summoned to serve in all wars and conflicts that the United States has engaged in, traveling
3 far from home and fighting bravely to preserve America's freedom; and
4 WHEREAS, no matter where the struggle for freedom took the nation, from the
5 jungles of the Phillippines, the charge up San Juan Hill, to World War I and II, Korea, and
6 Vietnam, and to the current fighting in the Middle East and Asia, Louisiana's armed forces
7 have always heeded the call of their country and served with bravery and distinction; and
8 WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal Museum still stands today, well-preserved and a
9 reminder to all that there are times when ordinary citizens must take up arms and fight to
10 maintain both freedom and peace; and
11 WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal now serves as a shaded park where visitors walk, relax,
12 and take in the beauty of the historic grounds where so much military activity has taken
13 place because of the critical and strategic importance of controlling river traffic and the
14 region itself; and
15 WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal, with it's peaceful gardens, could once more serve to
16 honor it's military origins by being designated as The Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park,
17 dedicated to all Louisiana veterans for their brave service and many sacrifices made to insure
18 the safety and freedom of the state and nation.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
20 designate the gardens and grounds that surround the Old Arsenal Museum as The Louisiana
21 Veterans Park in honor of all Louisiana citizens who served in the armed forces of this state
22 and nation.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
24 speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
SCR 60 Original 2017 Regular Session Perry
Designates the grounds surrounding the Old Arsenal Museum as The Louisiana Veterans
Memorial Park.
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