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