ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 167
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAYHAM
A RESOLUTION
To designate Wednesday, May 1, 2024, as St. Bernard Parish Day at the capitol.
WHEREAS, St. Bernard Parish lies five miles south of downtown New Orleans,
Louisiana, and bestows scenic beauty, cultural treasures, bountiful waterways, and tranquil
surroundings to the environs of the southeast region of the state; and
WHEREAS, St. Bernard is a community of congenial people who have maintained
a unique cultural identity since its founding under Spanish colonial rule; and
WHEREAS, Canary Islanders, who identified themselves as "Isleños", immigrated
to the lower edge of the parish to join Creole-Acadian pioneers, who settled there in 1720;
and
WHEREAS, its extraordinary history is commemorated throughout the year as
visitors view historically significant sights such as the Chalmette Battlefield at Jean Lafitte
National Historic Park and Preserve where, in 1815, a young nation, the United States of
America, maintained control of the Mississippi River trade route by the defeat of British
forces during the Battle of New Orleans on the plains of Chalmette; and
WHEREAS, the historic Malus-Beauregard House, built in the 1830s, is located on
the battlefield grounds and is one of the most significant historic structures in the New
Orleans area; and
WHEREAS, adjacent to the battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery
established in 1864; its gravesites recall for visitors the various military conflicts throughout
American history from the War of 1812 and the Civil War to the Vietnam War; and
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WHEREAS, the San Bernardo Scenic Byway follows an ancient estuary that was
once a main channel of the Mississippi River; this meandering roadway is festooned with
grand architectural wonders constructed in the nineteenth century; and
WHEREAS, with an abundance of waterways and wetlands, St. Bernard Parish is
well known for its fresh seafood and culinary delights that reflect Creole, African, Filipino,
and Spanish influences; and
WHEREAS, navigable water bodies with access to the Gulf of Mexico, such as Lake
Borne, the Mississippi River, and Breton Sound, make St. Bernard a "Sportsman's Paradise"
for fishing, hunting, trapping, and birdwatching; and
WHEREAS, the impact of this cultural cornucopia is evident in year-round activities
and festivals that reflect the heritage of this inviting southern community; and
WHEREAS, annual festivities include the Battle of New Orleans Commemoration,
the Knights of Nemesis Mardi Gras parade, the Irish, Italian, and Isleños parades, the Los
Isleños Festival, the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, the Tomato Festival, the Sugar Festival,
the St. Bernard Salutes America Celebration, the Blessing of the Fleet, Trick or Trunk, the
Oyster Festival, Fiesta de la Concepcion, All Saints Day Mass and Celebration, Isleños
Christmas, the Christmas Tour of Homes, the Community Christmas Concert, and Santa on
the Bayou; and
WHEREAS, ancient oaks, magnolias, and other fragrant flora align with ageless
plantation homes and cemeteries where the past and present meet and come alive; and
WHEREAS, in the Old Arabi Historic District, several sites are recognized by the
National Register of Historic Places that include the St. Bernard Voice, the weekly
community newspaper, dating back to 1870; the Old Jail, completed in 1911; the Maumus
Center, the site of the parish's first high school; the Cavaroc House, built in 1839; and
Domino Sugar Refinery; and
WHEREAS, the people, businesses, and government entities of St. Bernard Parish
displayed their resilience in rebuilding their community after its near-total destruction by
Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the multicultural oasis that is St. Bernard Parish is a medley of
waterways, townships, and historic destinations teeming with a kaleidoscope of attractions
and interesting people that lie nestled in the lush natural beauty of Southeastern Louisiana.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate Wednesday, May 1, 2024, as St. Bernard
Parish Day at the capitol and does hereby acknowledge the many contributions of culture,
beauty, and economic prosperity made to the state by its citizens.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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