New Orleans Rep. Matthew Willard (D)
A bill to remove Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the list of legal holidays in the state advances unanimously in House Judiciary. Bill Author New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard said he was unaware the legal holidays were still on the books until a constituent let him know.
“I actually didn’t believe it, truly I didn’t believe it. And so I looked into our statue and there enough among our list of legal holidays contains those two,” said Willard.
Willard said it was very emotional as a young black man to see the two holidays still recognized. Willard said he made a vow to remove the holidays in Louisiana as a way to honor his late grandfather, Dr. Elliot Willard.
“And members in good conscious I could not sit by and not attempt to change that,” said Willard.
While the holidays are no longer formally observed in Louisiana, they remain listed as official holidays. Willard implored members to show compassion for how these holidays impact himself and others like him.
“I plead with you, I guess to try to put yourself in my shoes, as a young black man in this state, who just found out that those two holidays existed and how that would affect you,” said Willard.
The bill now moves to the House floor.
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