SLS 24RS-571 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 22
BY SENATOR MIZELL
SUBSTANCE ABUSE. Designates Seymore D'Fair as Louisiana's Drug-Free Ambassador.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To designate Seymore D'Fair as the Drug-Free Ambassador for Louisiana.
3 WHEREAS, Seymore originally was the mascot for the 1984 Louisiana World
4 Exposition and thereafter, he became a cultural icon in Louisiana, symbolizing joy,
5 community spirit, and unity; and
6 WHEREAS, as a Pelican, mirroring the Louisiana State Bird, Seymore's role as the
7 first mascot in the history of World Expositions (circa 1851) was groundbreaking,
8 introducing diverse cultures and communities to the natural beauty of the state and its
9 cultural identity; and
10 WHEREAS, because the beloved Pelican transcended traditional mascot and
11 ambassador duties Seymore began his journey from a state emblem to a worldwide figure
12 of significance, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in social advocacy; and
13 WHEREAS, post-exposition, Seymore became a key figure in promoting drug
14 awareness and prevention through various initiatives led by the Seymore D'Fair Foundation,
15 a 501(3)c nonprofit organization dedicated to children and youth advocacy, specializing in
16 pre-adolescent drug awareness, education, and prevention; and
17 WHEREAS, the 1987 Cajun Critters & Kids 'Just Say NO!' to Drugs program was
18 carefully designed for pre-adolescent students aged 5-11 with two interconnected parts
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SLS 24RS-571 ORIGINAL
1 which includes a sixty minutes live children's theater production focused on drug awareness
2 and peer pressure and a classroom component that echoes the themes of the theater
3 performance; and
4 WHEREAS, the Cajun Critters & Kids 'Just Say NO!' to Drugs program setup
5 allowed students to actively engage and apply what they observed in the performance to their
6 classroom activities, fostering a deeper understanding and personal connection to the content
7 taught; and
8 WHEREAS, another Seymore D'Fair Foundation drug prevention program called the
9 "Kiki's Red Ribbon School Celebration" focuses on drug awareness and prevention
10 education for the underserved pre-adolescent student demographic in grades K-6 is marked
11 by an annual event which creates a memorable experience that reinforces the anti-drug
12 message in a positive and celebratory atmosphere; and
13 WHEREAS, Kiki's program setup brings together educators, parents, and local
14 leaders engaging in interactive methods, including activities, games, and discussions,
15 ensuring active student participation and better retention of the information provided; and
16 WHEREAS, between ACT 283 of 2018 Regular Legislative Session and Seymore
17 D 'Fair Foundation, a "Louisiana is Better with ME 100% Drug Free" specialty license plate
18 campaign was created; and
19 WHEREAS, the specialty license plate campaign is a constant reminder of the
20 commitment to living drug-free with all sales directly channeled into funding drug-
21 prevention education programs; and
22 WHEREAS, the statistics on drug use in Louisiana paints a concerning picture,
23 highlighting an urgent need for effective drug prevention strategies, treatment, and drug
24 addiction services; and
25 WHEREAS, a significant portion of the population, 8.37% of adults and 7.31% of
26 minors reported needing treatment, but not receiving it, underscoring a gap in accessible
27 drug addiction services; and
28 WHEREAS, the effectiveness of using character mascots like Seymore in
29 educational settings is supported by teaching methodologies and psychology and are visually
30 appealing with their friendly nature thus making learning engaging and enjoyable; and
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SLS 24RS-571 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, this approach aligns with the psychological understanding that children
2 respond positively to characters they perceive as fun and approachable, leading to better
3 engagement and retention; and
4 WHEREAS, in drug prevention efforts, Seymore D'Fair established rapport with
5 diverse age groups, engaging, interactive methods effectively foster understanding and
6 memory retention in children, makes his distinctive persona and inventive approach to
7 messaging an exemplary ambassador for imparting crucial drug prevention life lessons and
8 values; and
9 WHEREAS, Seymore D'Fair's role as the Drug-Free Ambassador can significantly
10 lead to lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors about drug use, reduce drug abuse rates and
11 foster collaborative community approach to tackling drug related issues, and create a
12 healthier, safer environment for all citizens, particularly the youth while contributing to a
13 comprehensive approach to drug prevention, treatment, and overall wellness in Louisiana.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
15 designate Seymore D'Fair as Louisiana's Drug-Free Ambassador.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
17 Seymore D'Fair through the Seymore D'Fair Foundation.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Ann S. Brown.
DIGEST
SCR 22 Original 2024 Regular Session Mizell
Designates Seymore D'Fair, as Louisiana's Drug-Free Ambassador.
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