SLS 23RS-2784 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181
BY SENATOR DUPLESSIS
COMMENDAT IONS. Commends the ongoing achievements of David Arnold "Dee-1"
Augustine Jr. in his roles as an educator, musician, activist, influencer, speaker, and
entrepreneur.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend the ongoing achievements of David Arnold "Dee-1" Augustine Jr. in his roles
3 as an educator, musician, activist, influencer, speaker, and entrepreneur.
4 WHEREAS, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, David Arnold "Dee-1" Augustine
5 Jr. displayed exceptional academic prowess during his time at Audubon Montessori School,
6 showcased his intellectual and athletic abilities at Ben Franklin High School where he
7 received the honor of being crowned homecoming king in his senior year, and subsequently
8 graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
9 WHEREAS, during his college years, he embarked on a music and hip-hop journey
10 adopting the stage name Dee-1, combining the initial of his first name and the number one,
11 symbolizing his aspiration to become the best version of himself, inspire others to do the
12 same, and is furthering his artistic persona by uplifting and motivating people through his
13 music and melodious modus vivendi; and
14 WHEREAS, Dee-1, driven by his personal commitment to accountability and
15 self-improvement, made the choice to depart from RCA Records and establish Mission
16 Vision Music, his own independent label, which has since transformed into a movement
17 encompassing a podcast and speaker platform with his personal pledge of accountability and
18 self-improvement with concentrations on Being Real, Being Righteous, and Being
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1 Relevant; and
2 WHEREAS, in 2021, Dee-1 achieved a historic milestone in Louisiana, becoming
3 the first rapper appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to a statewide position on the
4 Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys, a position he dedicated to his late
5 grandmother and as a tribute to his harmonious Mission Vision lifestyle; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Augustine extracts from his own life experiences to positively
7 influence his audiences, and by tailoring his musical messages, podcasts, and speeches to
8 bring about the most impact and relevance, while striving to interconnect the G.O.L.D. of
9 each audience; that is their Gifts, Opportunities, Leadership, and Dreams; and
10 WHEREAS, his captivating speech and thought-provoking podcast episodes cover
11 a wide array of engaging topics he named, Prioritizing the Mental Health of Student
12 Athletes, Winning at the Game of Life, Defining and Achieving Real Success On and Off
13 the Field, and Authentication; and
14 WHEREAS, while working as a middle school teacher, Dee-1 embarked on an
15 impressive musical journey by releasing a series of mixtapes, including It's Only the
16 Beginning, Still We Rise, and I am Who I Am, followed by the release of his debut studio
17 album, David & Goliath, which marked the beginning of a consistent streak of musical
18 achievements; moreover, he expanded his repertoire to include a notable New Orleans
19 Saints-themed song titled, Bring 'Em to the Dome; and
20 WHEREAS, following tours beside renowned artists such as Lil Wayne, Lupe
21 Fiasco, Drake, The Roots, Musiq Soulchild, and others, Dee-1's remarkable melodic
22 expedition culminated in October 2010 when he was honored as the Artist of the Year at the
23 NOLA Underground Hip Hop Awards; and
24 WHEREAS, through his ongoing musical ventures, Dee-1 continuously showcased
25 his talents by releasing multiple albums that have gained national recognition, particularly
26 his notable eighteen-song track list on a single album, capturing the attention of RCA
27 Inspiration Records and leading to a record deal, while ultimately securing several
28 noteworthy positions on Billboard's Top Ten chart; and
29 WHEREAS, following the release of Against Us, a culturally conscious album that
30 addressed societal issues, Dee-1 shifted his focus to releasing songs that delved deeper into
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1 his personal life and the further strengthening of his faith; and
2 WHEREAS, his hyper-energetic track titled, Sallie Mae Back, which celebrated the
3 successful completion of his student loan payments, garnered critical acclaim from Time
4 magazine as well as CNN, ESPN, Forbes, and with The Washington Post describing it as
5 "the anthem of a generation"; and
6 WHEREAS, in addition to being recruited to compose the theme song titled We are
7 Undefeated for EPSN's sports, race, and culture website, he also wrote the lyrics for the
8 F.A.S.T. Song in collaboration with the American Heart Association, aimed at raising
9 awareness about stroke warning signs and actions to take when a stroke occurs; and
10 WHEREAS, with its focus on providing students a historical lens into World War
11 II, Mr. Augustine's 2021 documentary titled The Manhattan Project: The Electronic Field
12 Trip was filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana, and garnered a Daytime Emmy nomination,
13 resulting in a gratifying acknowledgment despite ultimately losing to the former first lady
14 of the United States, Michelle Obama; and
15 WHEREAS, in addition to receiving consistent recognition and acclaim for his past,
16 present, and upcoming discography, Mr. Augustine was again honored in 2021 with the
17 prestigious Power of Image award by the NAACP, recognizing his influential impact and
18 dedicated efforts in promoting positivity within impoverished communities; and
19 WHEREAS, David Arnold "Dee-1" Augustine Jr., widely recognized as Dee-1,
20 deserves commendation for his unwavering dedication to educating and supporting
21 impoverished communities through his caldron blend of music, art, and philanthropy, along
22 with his inspiring conveyance of messages aimed at fostering a deeper faith in God, and
23 encouraging the use of skills and talents for a more meaningful existence, all connecting his
24 tireless pursuit to Be Real, Be Righteous, and Be Relevant in all things.
25 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
26 does hereby commend David Arnold "Dee-1" Augustine Jr., for his continued excellence as
27 an educator, musician, activist, influencer, speaker, and entrepreneur.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
29 David Arnold Augustine Jr., critically acclaimed as Dee-1.
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle B. Johnson.
DIGEST
SR 181 Original 2023 Regular Session Duplessis
Commends the ongoing achievements of David Arnold "Dee-1" Augustine Jr. in his roles
as an educator, musician, activist, influencer, speaker, and entrepreneur.
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