HLS 20RS-1518 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 42
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER
COMMENDATIONS: Posthumously commends Janet Ravare-Colson, recognized in
Louisiana as the mother of the Creole culture revitalization movement
1 A RESOLUTION
2To posthumously commend Janet Ravare-Colson, recognized as the mother of the Creole
3 culture revitalization movement.
4 WHEREAS, in 1997, Janet Ravare-Colson began her crucial work as the director of
5the Louisiana Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches,
6Louisiana, where she worked for more than twenty years to revitalize and bring greater
7awareness of the language, history, and culture of the Louisiana Creole people; and
8 WHEREAS, Janet Ravare-Colson organized hundreds of workshops, seminars, and
9conferences that brought local, state, national, and international scholars and community
10leaders from various communities together to highlight the contemporary experiences of
11Louisiana Creoles and other Creole communities around the world during a period when
12these communities suffered from neglect and misrepresentation; and
13 WHEREAS, Ms. Ravare-Colson expanded the body of literature, genealogical
14research, and public visibility of one of the nation's oldest and least documented ethnic
15groups, thereby contributing to the advancement and educational development of future
16generations of Creoles; and
17 WHEREAS, she also mentored and educated dozens of Louisiana Creole scholars,
18musicians, genealogists, and cultural preservationists throughout her career; Janet Ravare-
19Colson, daughter of Louisiana Creole heritage, was tirelessly committed to the preservation
20of the Creole community, and for this, she is certainly worthy of recognition; and
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HR NO. 42
1 WHEREAS, in honor of Janet Ravare-Colson's work to preserve Creole heritage,
2March twenty-first, her birthday, will be recognized as a day to celebrate her contributions
3to preserving Creole culture throughout the state of Louisiana.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
5Legislature of Louisiana does hereby posthumously commend Janet Ravare-Colson for her
6commitment to the preservation of Creole culture in the contemporary world; does hereby
7express sincere appreciation for her passion for her Louisiana Creole heritage; and does
8hereby extend sincere hopes and wishes that her life's work to preserve and elevate Creole
9culture is continued in her honor.
10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
11family of Janet Ravare-Colson.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 42 Original 2020 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Commends Janet Ravare-Colson, recognized in La. as the mother of the Creole culture
revitalization movement.
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