H.C.R. No. 61
 
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The City of Port Arthur has been steeped in Cajun
  culture for nearly a century; and
         WHEREAS, Located in the southeastern corner of Texas, Port
  Arthur is a close neighbor to the Louisiana bayou region where the
  Acadians, or Cajuns, settled in the mid-1700s after being forced
  out of Nova Scotia; in 1927, the Great Mississippi Flood drove tens
  of thousands from their homes in the Acadiana parishes of
  Louisiana, and many of those displaced made their way to Port
  Arthur, drawn by the ample employment opportunities in the
  burgeoning petroleum industry and other sectors of the coastal
  economy; and
         WHEREAS, Louisiana Cajuns brought their distinctive culture,
  which took root and flourished in their adopted city; local cuisine
  acquired a Cajun flavor, with a boost from the family that opened
  Judice's French Market in 1927; the restaurant helped popularize
  such delicacies as crawfish, gumbo, and hot boudin, and its
  longtime spokesman, A. J. Judice, "the Crazy Frenchman," became a
  beloved ambassador of Cajun heritage; among other achievements, he
  served as the impresario of the improbable pastime of crawfish
  racing, which led to his tongue-in-cheek appointment as the sport's
  commissioner by Texas governor Preston Smith in the early 1960s;
  Port Arthur's Cajun community was also home to whiskey distiller
  and entrepreneur Jack LaBove, who helped the city survive the dark
  days of Prohibition; and
         WHEREAS, Renowned for their love of music, Port Arthur
  residents danced to such artists as Harry Choates, the "Godfather
  of Cajun Music" and the "Fiddle King of Cajun Swing," whose 1946
  recording of "Jole Blon" is considered iconic; favorite venues
  included the Rodair Club, which showcased the music and nurtured
  aspiring musicians such as accordionist Jude Moreau; today, younger
  players like Donovan Bourque continue the tradition, keeping the
  infectious Cajun rhythm part of the city's soundtrack; and
         WHEREAS, Warm and friendly Cajun hospitality thrives
  everywhere in Port Arthur, from fais-dodo house parties to major
  events, among them the annual Cajun Heritage Fest; moreover, the
  Museum of the Gulf Coast does its part to preserve and focus
  attention on Cajun history and traditions; and
         WHEREAS, Port Arthur takes great pride in the Cajun influence
  that pervades so many aspects of life in the city, and residents of
  all backgrounds enjoy celebrating these distinctive elements of
  their culture; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby designate Port Arthur as the official Cajun Capital of
  Texas; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
  391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
  until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
  passed by the legislature.
 
  Manuel
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 61 was adopted by the House on April
  28, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 61 was adopted by the Senate on May
  17, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor