Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day will no longer be on the state’s calendar of official holidays after HB 248, authored by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard, received final legislative approval. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau carried the bill in the Senate and said we can remember the negative parts of history without celebrating them.
“Removing these holidays would demonstrate that we refuse t0 commemorate, fondly remember, and celebrate the darkest times in our nation’s history,” said Luneau.
Critics of the bill argue that the holidays should stay on the books so as not to erase history. Luneau said that is no justification for disregarding the feelings of Black Louisianans and not placing those events in their proper perspective.
“There is a way to commemorate history without glorifying the atrocities,” he said. “We commemorate Victory Day, not the Nazis who drove us all into the World War. And we commemorate 9/11, not those who perpetrated the offenses on our nation.”
Also speaking in support of the bill was New Orleans Senator Joe Bouie, who said that this legislation can ultimately be another step towards dealing with the atrocities of the past and moving the state forward collectively. He said holidays are about celebration and unity, and Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day do not meet that standard.
“We do have the opportunity to ensure that we won’t have a commemoration of a time in our development as a nation that excluded and used some of our citizens,” said Bouie.
The bill passed the House on a 74-19 final vote and now moves to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee all still have some form of Confederate Memorial Day on their books.
Comments