SLS 19RS-2525 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 183
BY SENATOR HEWITT
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH. Recognizes Wednesday, June 5, 2019, as St. Bernard
Parish Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To recognize Wednesday, June 5, 2019, as "St. Bernard Parish Day" at the Louisiana State
3 Capitol and to acknowledge the many contributions of culture, beauty, and economic
4 prosperity made to the state by its citizens.
5 WHEREAS, St. Bernard Parish lies five miles away from downtown New Orleans,
6 Louisiana, and bestows scenic beauty, cultural treasures, bountiful waterways, and tranquil
7 surroundings to the environs of the southeast region of the state; and
8 WHEREAS, St. Bernard is a community of congenial people who have maintained
9 a unique cultural identity since its founding under Spanish colonial rule; and
10 WHEREAS, Canary Islanders, who identified themselves as "Isleños", immigrated
11 to the lower edge of the parish to join French-Acadian pioneers, who settled there in 1720;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, its extraordinary history is commemorated throughout the year as
14 visitors view significant locales such as the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve
15 where, in 1815, a young nation, the United States of America, maintained control of the
16 Mississippi River trade route by the defeat of British forces during the Battle of New Orleans
17 at Chalmette Battlefield; and
18 WHEREAS, the historic Malus-Beauregard House, built in the 1830s, is located on
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1 the battlefield grounds and serves as a museum and visitors center; and
2 WHEREAS, adjacent to the battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery
3 established in 1864; its grave sites recall for visitors the various military conflicts throughout
4 American history from the War of 1812 and the Civil War to the Vietnam War; and
5 WHEREAS, the San Bernardo Scenic Byway follows an ancient estuary that was
6 once a main channel of the Mississippi River; this meandering roadway is festooned with
7 grand architectural wonders constructed in the nineteenth century; and
8 WHEREAS, with an abundance of waterways and wetlands, St. Bernard Parish is
9 well known for its fresh seafood and culinary delights that reflect Creole, African, and
10 Spanish influences; and
11 WHEREAS, navigable water bodies with access to the Gulf of Mexico, such as Lake
12 Borne, the Mississippi River, and Breton Sound, make St. Bernard a "Sportsman's Paradise"
13 for fishing, hunting, trapping, and birdwatching; and
14 WHEREAS, the impact of this cultural cornucopia is evident in year-round activities
15 and festivals that reflect the heritage of this inviting southern community; and
16 WHEREAS, annual festivities include the Battle of New Orleans Commemoration,
17 the Krewe of Gladiators and Knights of Nemesis Mardi Gras parades, the Irish, Italian, and
18 Isleños parades, the Los Isleños Festival, the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, the Arts in April
19 Festival, the Tomato Festival, the Sugar Festival, the Chalmette Boat Blessing, the Hook a
20 Kid on Fishing Rodeo, the St. Bernard Salutes America Celebration, the ESPN Redfish Cup,
21 the Blessing of the Fleet, Trick or Trunk, the Oyster Festival, Fiesta de la Concepcion, All
22 Saints Day Mass and Celebration, Isleños Christmas, the Christmas Tour of Homes, the
23 Community Christmas Concert, and Santa on the Bayou; and
24 WHEREAS, ancient oaks, magnolias, and other fragrant flora align with ageless
25 plantation homes and cemeteries where the past and present meet and come alive; and
26 WHEREAS, in the Old Arabi Historic District, several sites are recognized by the
27 National Register of Historic Places that include the St. Bernard Voice, the weekly
28 community newspaper dating back to 1870; the Old Jail completed in 1911; LeBeau
29 Plantation completed in 1854; the Maumus Center, the site of the parish's first high school;
30 the Cavaroc House built in 1839; and Domino Sugar Refinery; and
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1 WHEREAS, the multi-cultural oasis that is St. Bernard Parish is a medley of
2 waterways, townships, and historic destinations teeming with a kaleidoscope of attractions
3 and interesting people that lie nestled in the lush natural beauty of Southeastern Louisiana.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
5 does hereby recognize Tuesday, April 28, 2019, as "St. Bernard Parish Day" at the Louisiana
6 State Capitol and does hereby acknowledge the many contributions of culture, beauty, and
7 economic prosperity made to the state by its citizens.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
9 Guy McInnis, Parish President of St. Bernard Parish.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 183 Original 2019 Regular Session Hewitt
Recognizes Wednesday, June 5, 2019, as St. Bernard Parish Day at the Louisiana State
Capitol.
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