2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 65
BY SENATORS PEACOCK AND GATTI
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend and congratulate the students, faculty, administrators, and alumni of Bossier
High School on the occasion of its Centennial celebration and to pay tribute to the
accomplishments of its many graduates.
WHEREAS, Bossier High School, BHS, has produced an eclectic class of graduates
throughout its one hundred years of academic excellence and its alumni have made
remarkable contributions to the enrichment of the community, state, and nation; and
WHEREAS, on Saturday, May 13, 2017, members of the BHS Bearkat Nation shall
gather together to recollect their shared experiences, revisit the past glories of classmates and
friends, and rekindle the meaning of the BHS Crest - Truth, Honor, Wisdom; and
WHEREAS, BHS holds a wealth of historic significance in the annals of Bossier
Parish as its oldest high school; chartered in 1917, the first site, located on Traffic Street,
now houses Bossier Elementary School; the first BHS graduating class consisted of five
female students; and
WHEREAS, the present structure was designed by Shreveport architect, Sam Wiener,
and opened in 1940; the facade is an example of the architectural style known as
"International Design"; the building has been recognized as a historic preservation property
and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, throughout its lengthy history, BHS has developed traditions that have
withstood the test of time; such benchmarks as, the Bossier Bear Facts school newspaper
began in 1939; the Les Memoires yearbook was first published in 1945; the school flag of
kelly green and white embossed with a Bearkat and the BHS motto was designed in 1962;
football began in 1926; the first letter jacket was issued in 1934; and the Bossier Invitational
Basketball Tournament began in 1940 and remains the longest running competition of its
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kind in Northwest Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Bearcat mascot was selected in 1926, however the spelling was later
changed to "Bearkat" to discern Bossier High athletics from the Ruston High Bearcats; and
WHEREAS, the music and lyrics to the BHS Alma Mater were written by a student,
Robert D. Young, in 1938; Like a wave, a mighty city surging round our feet, guide us, train
us, teach us wisdom, alma mater, sweet. Forward, forward, Bossier High School time and
tide may fail, but our hearts will ever love thee Alma Mater, hail!; and
WHEREAS, in 1925, the school colors of kelly green and white were adopted and
the faithful alumni axiom of "always bleed green"; and
WHEREAS, the overall objective of this extraordinary academic institution remains
the same; "the mission of Bossier High School, in partnership with parents and community,
is to foster the development of an environment that will facilitate learning for all students,
promote self-esteem and respect for others, and launch learners on a quest for high
standards, all of which will lead them to be self-sufficient adults"; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive academic curricula supported by a superior faculty has
produced exceptional student achievement with standout performances in student testing as
well as band competition, debate, literary rallies, National Honor Society, AFJROTC, and
choir, and spirited extracurricular activities have energized the school year with athletics and
team sports, homecoming, yearbook, and commencement ceremonies; and
WHEREAS, the Bearkat Nation is a composite of a thriving student body and alumni
from all over the world; the "Barksdale Kids" is the moniker proudly shared by students
from military families who have made BHS a part of their learning experience and their
presence adds a welcome diversity and interest to the school's ecology; and
WHEREAS, in its first one hundred years, BHS has matriculated thousands of
graduates who have moved forward into city, state, national, and worldwide venues and have
made positive contributions in every spectrum of society; and
WHEREAS, scores of BHS alumni have reached the pinnacle in their professions and
include in their number, a presidential candidate, college chancellor, district attorney, NASA
space flight educator, Grammy-nominated songwriter, director of brain surgery at Harvard
Medical School, president of the National Organization for Women, president of the national
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Jaycees, an Olympian, and numerous professional athletes; and
WHEREAS, the tenets of learning and leadership instilled at BHS challenge students
to excel and provide the necessary training for future careers as elected officials, first
responders, scientists, educators, businessmen, medical professionals, authors, military
service personnel, and energetic citizens at work in the Ark-La-Tex region; and
WHEREAS, many former students have "returned to the school" as teachers,
coaches, administrators, and school board members; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer, governor of Louisiana and
United States Congressman, was valedictorian of the Class of 1960 and was inducted into
the BHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement; and the Honorable
Foster L. Campbell served for twenty-six years in the Senate of Louisiana and presently
serves on the Public Service Commission; and
WHEREAS, the BHS Alumni Association was formed in 2005 to foster connectivity
between all former students, to promote continued interest in BHS activities, to honor the
community service of its members with the Medal of Merit award, and to provide financial
support and scholarships as reward for exceptional academic performance; and
WHEREAS, donations of treasured mementos that include band uniforms, letterman
sweaters, yearbooks, and other memorabilia are on exhibit at the Bossier Parish Library
Historical Center until the end of the year; and
WHEREAS, today's student body has forged its own impressive list of successful
pathways and graduates are recognized for their commitment to pursue military careers; and
WHEREAS, military service has always been an integral part of BHS and that
commitment is reflected in AFJROTC participation, veteran honors, and heartfelt memorials
that recognize fallen classmates who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United
States of America; and
WHEREAS, demands of a changing world affect the content of curricula and the
utility of classroom space; ten computer labs are readily available on campus; and
WHEREAS, David Thrash, the 2011 Louisiana High School Principal of the Year,
begins his thirty-fifth year in education and upholds the legacy of BHS with the motto for
this centennial year, "Game on, We got this!"; and
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WHEREAS, all Bearkats alumni are invited to celebrate on Saturday, May 13, 2017,
at the Bossier Civic Center with a slate of activities, food and music venues, and an antique
car show and BHS alumni are encouraged to actively participate in the year-long celebration
of one hundred years of Bossier High School Pride.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the students, faculty, administrators, and alumni of Bossier High School on the
occasion of its Centennial celebration.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby pay
tribute to the accomplishments of the Bearkat Nation of Bossier High School Alumni.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
David W. Thrash, principal of Bossier High School and Carolyn Grimsley, president of the
Bossier High School Alumni Association.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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