2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 63
BY SENATOR WHITE AND REPRESENTATIVES BACALA, BERTHELOT, CHAD
BROWN, CARPENTER, STEVE CARTER, DAVIS, EDMONDS,
FOIL, HAVARD, HODGES, IVEY, JAMES, JORDAN, MACK,
MARCELLE, POPE, PRICE, SCHEXNAYDER, SMITH AND
THIBAUT
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend and congratulate the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and its citizenry and
public officials on the Bicentennial celebration of municipal incorporation and to
encourage civic participation in the year-long calendar of events known as BR200.
WHEREAS, January 17, 2017, marks a historic occasion for the municipality as the
two hundredth anniversary of the official proclamation declared by the Honorable Jacques
Villere', Governor of Louisiana, in which the hamlets of Spanish Town, Aubert Town,
Garcia's Bayou, and Beauregard Town were combined into a single plat that set the
boundaries for the town of Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, since European explorers such as Iberville and Bienville, first set foot
on the fertile soil that would become Baton Rouge, the French wording for "red stick", the
city's future has been wrought by its wealth of natural resources, its strategic location along
the Mississippi River as a navigable gateway to trade, and its potential for commercial
ventures; and
WHEREAS, as the site of the state capitol of Louisiana since 1882 and the seat of
local administration for the parish of East Baton Rouge, the city has been an epicenter for
government, educational opportunity, and commercial and service entrepreneurship; and
WHEREAS, today, the geographic footprint of Baton Rouge covers eighty square
miles with a population estimate for the metropolitan area that numbers over eight hundred
thousand; and
WHEREAS, the aesthetics of Baton Rouge are revealed in the hospitality of its
people, its rich history, unique cultural heritage, traditions, historic buildings, beautiful
landscapes, and delicious cuisine; and
WHEREAS, formed in 2016, the Bicentennial Committee represents a broad base
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 63 ENROLLED
of organizations that came together to confect an effective plan to promote the city's
attributes; and
WHEREAS, the Bicentennial Committee created a "Red Stick" mascot, engaged in
social media platforms, and encouraged merchants to incorporate the BR 200th Anniversary
logo into their own marketing schemes; and
WHEREAS, "BR200" is a calendar of activities planned for 2017; it is festooned
with festivals, museum collections, music concerts, historic re-enactments, homecomings,
displays of artifacts and significant documents; plus the creation of folk art and memorabilia
rendered to denote this special event and to celebrate the history of the Capitol City; and
WHEREAS, David Norwood, local artist and award-winning cartoonist, has created
a commemorate poster that captures the historic impact of the Mississippi River, Louisiana
State University, Exxon-Mobil refinery, and architecture of the state capitol buildings; and
WHEREAS, "200 Things To Do" is a bucket list of favorite local experiences to be
savored and shared; the list includes enjoying everyday neighborhood adventures, partaking
in craft cuisine and libations from one-of-a-kind eateries, and visiting historic sites and
hidden away places; and
WHEREAS, Baton Rouge is a treasure trove of art, music, festivals, and sports
venues surrounded by the natural beauty and ecology of South Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the friendly citizenry of Baton Rouge strive to preserve and celebrate
a way of life that has survived since its inception, and together contemplate a future filled
with hope and prosperity for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, the Bicentennial Anniversary of Baton Rouge merits extraordinary
recognition, as it celebrates the unique contributions the city of Baton Rouge and its citizens
have made to the betterment of the state of Louisiana and the world.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the citizenry of the city of Baton Rouge on its two hundred years of incorporation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize the successful efforts of the Honorable Sharon Weston Broome, mayor of Baton
Rouge, the membership of the Metro Council, and the Baton Rouge Bicentennial Committee
to commemorate this historic event.
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 63 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize the singular and unique status that the capitol city of Baton Rouge holds within
the state of Louisiana and does hereby commend its citizens for their extraordinary
contributions to the betterment of their state and for their joie de vivre.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable Sharon Weston Broome, mayor-president of the city of Baton Rouge, Andre
Moreau, honorary cochair of the Bicentennial Committee, and Paul Arrigo, president of Visit
Baton Rouge.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 3 of 3