2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 60
BY SENATORS PERRY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BISHOP,
BOUDREAUX, CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB,
CORTEZ, DONAHUE, ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI, HEWITT, JOHNS,
LAFLEUR, LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILKOVICH,
MILLS, MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, PETERSON,
RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON,
WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE AND REPRESENTATIVES
ANDERS, ARMES, BACALA, BERTHELOT, BILLIOT,
BROADWATER, TERRY BROWN, CARMODY, ROBBY CARTER,
COX, DAVIS, DWIGHT, EDMONDS, GISCLAIR, LANCE HARRIS,
HENRY, HOFFMANN, HOWARD, HUVAL, JACKSON, JAMES,
JENKINS, LEGER, MIGUEZ, PYLANT, SHADOIN, STEFANSKI,
TALBOT AND THOMAS
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To authorize that the grounds surrounding the Old Arsenal Museum on the capitol grounds
be designated as "The Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park".
WHEREAS, Louisiana citizens have fought in every war America has engaged in
since the rebellion against Great Britain in 1776; and
WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal Museum originally served as part of Louisiana's largest
military complex of the day, functioning as a supply depot for weapons, powder, and
ammunition; and
WHEREAS, in its early days, military forces were housed inside this sprawling
complex as the location of the arsenal was strategically critical to maintaining control over
the region, and in 1816, Congress formally established the complex as the Baton Rouge
Arsenal and Ordnance Depot; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Militia seized the Arsenal at the start of the Civil
War but could not hold it against Union Forces who recaptured the post in May of 1862; and
WHEREAS, the Confederate Army failed in an attempt to take back the Arsenal
during the Battle of Baton Rouge in August, 1862, in which the Arsenal came under heavy
fire but remained in the hands of Union forces and would remain in their hands for the rest
of the war; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana military forces, throughout our history as a state, have been
summoned to serve in all wars and conflicts that the United States has engaged in, traveling
far from home and fighting bravely to preserve America's freedom; and
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WHEREAS, no matter where the struggle for freedom took the nation, from the
jungles of the Phillippines, the charge up San Juan Hill, to World War I and II, Korea, and
Vietnam, and to the current fighting in the Middle East and Asia, Louisiana's armed forces
have always heeded the call of their country and served with bravery and distinction; and
WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal Museum still stands today, well-preserved and a
reminder to all that there are times when ordinary citizens must take up arms and fight to
maintain both freedom and peace; and
WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal now serves as a shaded park where visitors walk, relax,
and take in the beauty of the historic grounds where so much military activity has taken
place because of the critical and strategic importance of controlling river traffic and the
region itself; and
WHEREAS, the Old Arsenal, with its peaceful gardens, could once more serve to
honor its military origins by being designated as The Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park,
dedicated to all Louisiana veterans for their brave service and many sacrifices made to insure
the safety and freedom of the state and nation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
designate the gardens and grounds that surround the Old Arsenal Museum as The Louisiana
Veterans Park in honor of all Louisiana citizens who served in the armed forces of this state
and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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