SLS 21RS-2163 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 215
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the equine industry in St. Landry Parish for its cultural
and economic impact to the state of Louisiana.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend the equine industry in St. Landry Parish for its cultural and economic impact
3 to the state of Louisiana.
4 WHEREAS, the equine industry has long served an integral and irreplaceable part
5 of the Louisiana economy; and
6 WHEREAS, a recent report indicates that the horse racing industry accounts for over
7 twelve thousand direct jobs and over three hundred million dollars in annual earnings in
8 Louisiana; and
9 WHEREAS, Louisiana is among the nation's leaders in horse breeding, and home to
10 many farms and training facilities with many of them located in St. Landry Parish; and
11 WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish is the home to numerous equine sales that attracts a
12 national and international clientele; and
13 WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish has long been recognized as a hub of activity for the
14 horse racing industry in Louisiana; and
15 WHEREAS, as the home of one of only four live racing facilities in Louisiana,
16 Evangeline Downs in Opelousas hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse meets
17 throughout the year; and
18 WHEREAS, Evangeline Downs has the distinction of being the only "racino" in the
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SLS 21RS-2163 ORIGINAL
1 nation built from the ground up; and
2 WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish is home of one of the nation's few farms that serves
3 as a home for retired race horses who have found new life in guiding kids, families, and
4 corporate teams to better leadership in equine assisted learning; and
5 WHEREAS, the equine tradition in St. Landry Parish does not end with the racing
6 industry; and
7 WHEREAS, the famous "Step and Strut" trail ride originated in St. Landry Parish;
8 and
9 WHEREAS, Opelousas native Mia Manzanares is a two-time women's all-around
10 College National Finals Rodeo champion and member of the 2018 national championship
11 from McNeese State University; and
12 WHEREAS, Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame member Steve Duhon also hails from
13 Opelousas; and
14 WHEREAS, Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, famously the sight of
15 the only Vatican-recognized miracle in the United States of America, is home to a
16 nationally-recognized equestrian center for its students who train in three disciplines,
17 including hunter/jumper, dressage, and western; and
18 WHEREAS, rodeos are held throughout the year in towns all over St. Landry Parish;
19 and
20 WHEREAS, the proposed multipurpose event center near Evangeline Downs, as part
21 of the Gateway to Acadiana Master Plan, will serve as an ideal location for the professional
22 rodeo circuit.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
24 does hereby commend the equine industry in St. Landry Parish for its cultural and economic
25 impact to the state of Louisiana.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
27 hereby recognize St. Landry Parish as state and national leader in the equine industry.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
29 chief executive officer of St. Landry Economic Development, the president of St. Landry
30 Parish, and all members of the St. Landry Parish Council.
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SLS 21RS-2163 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SR 215 Original 2021 Regular Session Boudreaux
Commends the equine industry in St. Landry Parish for its cultural and economic impact to
the state of Louisiana.
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