SLS 23RS-1392 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 82
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
COMMENDATIONS. Commends and recognizes Lavaille Lavette on the release of her
new book "Jayylen's Juneteenth Surprise".
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend and recognize Lavaille Lavette on the release of her new book "Jayylen's
3 Juneteenth Surprise".
4 WHEREAS, New York Times best-selling author, editor, and publisher Lavaille
5 Lavette's greatest joy is telling stories about people, places, things, and events that should
6 not be forgotten; and
7 WHEREAS, her latest book, "Jayylen's Juneteenth Surprise" is a beautifully
8 illustrated Little Golden Book about one young boy's first experience celebrating Juneteenth,
9 a national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United
10 States; and
11 WHEREAS, Lavaille Lavette infuses the culture and heritage of Louisiana in her
12 writings and in her newest book Jayylen's grandfather explains the musical style zydeco and
13 teaches Jayylen to play the frottoir; and
14 WHEREAS, the book's illustrations are simple but effective and include enjoyable
15 details such as the Elijah McCoy poster that hangs on Jayylen's bedroom wall and the shrimp
16 and grits that the family eats for dinner; and
17 WHEREAS, a resident and native of Opelousas, Louisiana, Ms. Lavette is a graduate
18 of Opelousas Catholic School and Southern University; and
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SLS 23RS-1392 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Lavaille Lavette has bachelor degrees in mathematics and accounting,
2 a Master's in Education Management, and has worked as an investment broker,
3 schoolteacher, school district administrator, speech writer, and marketing executive; and
4 WHEREAS, an educational expert, Ms. Lavette served as the Special Advisor to the
5 United States Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige, from 2001 to 2005; and
6 WHEREAS, Ms. Lavette is a founding board member and the first president of the
7 Houston-Luanda Africa Sister City Association, a Court Appointed Special Advocate
8 (CASA) volunteer, a mentor with The Hay Center, a fundraiser for foster care programs,
9 involved in a number of international charitable ventures, and has served on the board of
10 directors of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Aspiring Youth
11 Foundation, and Foxshire Foundation; and
12 WHEREAS, beyond her work in publishing, community engagement, nonprofit and
13 the marketing spheres, Ms. Lavette is co-founder of Every Child An Author, a mission to
14 make every child in America a published author, one grade level at a time; and
15 WHEREAS, combining a "do it all" philosophy with a multi-faceted background,
16 Ms. Lavette advocates for disadvantaged youth in the United States and Africa.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
18 does hereby commend and recognize Lavaille Lavette on the release of her new book
19 "Jayylen's Juneteenth Surprise".
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
21 Lavaille Lavette.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Kathy Liberty.
DIGEST
SR 82 Original 2023 Regular Session Boudreaux
Commends and recognizes Lavaille Lavette on the release of her new book "Jayylen's
Juneteenth Surprise".
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