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