SLS 20RS-12 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3
BY SENATORS TARVER AND PEACOCK
COMMENDAT IONS. Commends The Shreveport Sun on the celebration of its one
hundredth anniversary.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend The Shreveport Sun, its owners, editors, and staff, on the occasion of its one
3 hundredth anniversary and to acknowledge its exemplary status as the oldest black
4 weekly newspaper in the state of Louisiana.
5 WHEREAS, the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana proudly acknowledges The
6 Shreveport Sun as a significant news media publishing outlet and as an effective agent for
7 change in the Ark-La-Tex region; and
8 WHEREAS, The Shreveport Sun shares the spotlight with notable African-American
9 publications, both past and present; each played a major role in local politics and business
10 affairs within their respective communities; these publications include the Louisiana Weekly
11 (New Orleans), the Chicago Defender, the Richmond Planet, the Chicago Bee, the Miami
12 Times, the Pittsburgh Courier, the Roanoke Tribune, the Philadelphia Tribune, the Atlanta
13 Daily World, and the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder; and
14 WHEREAS, in 1920, Melvin Lee (M.L.) Collins Sr., an educator and a steadfast man
15 of vision, founded the weekly newspaper, The Shreveport Sun, the first of its kind in the
16 community, as he sought to provide a medium against the racial oppression of the time and
17 to provide a venue for acknowledgment of the achievements and social activities of
18 African-Americans, who had little representation in mainstream media; and
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SLS 20RS-12 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, he published the news events of an under-served constituency, from
2 birth to marriage, then onto passage from life and dismissal, The Shreveport Sun
3 acknowledged the happenings of African-American society and voiced the issues of civil
4 rights, literacy, and economic development that included the advertisement and promotion
5 of minority professionals and business interests; and
6 WHEREAS, in the beginning, The Shreveport Sun served both urban and rural
7 readerships throughout North Louisiana and portions of nearby Texas and Arkansas, being
8 sold for a nickel per copy in grocery stores, on street corners by newsboys, and later by
9 door-to-door solicitations for subscriptions; the Sun paved the way for more minority-owned
10 publications in the state; and
11 WHEREAS, today, The Shreveport Sun enjoys both national and international
12 circulation; and
13 WHEREAS, from its humble origin located in the heart of the Avenue Business
14 District, the Sun survived financially on advertisement space sold to small, minority-owned
15 businesses such as physicians, dentists, funeral homes, and merchants; and
16 WHEREAS, the Sun survived overt opposition and threats through the sheer courage,
17 conviction, pride, and stubbornness of Mr. M. L. Collins Sr.; and
18 WHEREAS, his legacy remains one of enlightenment and hope; and
19 WHEREAS, in its illustrious history, the Sun glistens with numerous journalism and
20 public service awards including the Ann Brewster Award for outstanding journalism, the
21 African American Arts Council patron of the arts award, and recognition as the second
22 oldest minority-owned business in continuous operation in the Shreveport area; and
23 WHEREAS, The Shreveport Sun marks November 6, 2020, as its one hundredth
24 anniversary and celebrates over five thousand editions having missed only one due to a
25 disabled printing press; and
26 WHEREAS, during the turbulent 1960s as voting issues and civil rights emerged as
27 major factors in African-American life, the Sun was at the forefront to offer up concise
28 journalism and perspective; and
29 WHEREAS, in 1962, Melvin Lee Collins Jr., assumed the mantle of editorial
30 responsibility from his father and continued in his footsteps to protect and support freedom
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SLS 20RS-12 ORIGINAL
1 of speech until 1983; and
2 WHEREAS, Sonya Collins Landry, daughter of M. L. Collins Jr., ascended to her
3 leadership role as publisher and editor-in-chief in 1983 and her tenure has wrought continued
4 progress and prosperity for the newspaper; and
5 WHEREAS, The Shreveport Sun was founded on November 6, 1920, and its golden
6 anniversary theme is "2020 Vision"; and
7 WHEREAS, in anticipation of this most auspicious event, the Sun and Shreve
8 Memorial Library have partnered to present the Black History Month 2020 Lecture Series
9 throughout the month of February; and
10 WHEREAS, these lecturers shall discuss different aspects of African-American
11 history and create a forum for the exchange of ideas and goals for continued growth within
12 the community; the populace of Caddo Parish looks forward to a brighter future with
13 expanded cultural horizons and economic possibilities; and
14 WHEREAS, the credo of minority publishing has stood the test of time and rings true
15 in today's sociopolitical environment: "The Black Press believes that America can best lead
16 the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords to every man,
17 regardless of race, creed, or color, his human and legal rights; hating no man, fearing no
18 man, the Black Press strives to help every man in the firm belief that all men are hurt as long
19 as anyone is held back."
20 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
21 does hereby commend and congratulate the owners, editors, and staff of The Shreveport Sun
22 for its good works, extraordinary journalism, and integrity, and does hereby recognize its
23 lengthy history of service to the community of Shreveport as an agent for positive change.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
25 Sonya Collins Landry of The Shreveport Sun.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
SR 3 Original 2020 Regular Session Tarver
Commends The Shreveport Sun on the celebration of its 100th anniversary.
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