40th Anniversary of Louisiana Constitution of 1974

January 19, 2014 0 Comments

From 1972 to 1974, 132 delegates met in Baton Rouge to draft a proposed new state constitution. The political pundits said it couldn’t be done. But after many months of research, study, debate, hard work, and ultimately compromise, the delegates from all over the state of all backgrounds and philosophies agreed on a proposed constitution to replace the Louisiana Constitution of 1921. The proposal went to the voters, and they approved it in April 1974. The Constitution has now been in effect for 40 years, and on Saturday, the surviving delegates met to celebrate the lasting contribution made by the new constitution. Of the 132 delegates, only 52 survive, and many of those are in very poor health. About 40 were able to attend the reunion, which was held at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. East Baton Rouge Republican chairman Woody Jenkins said, “I was privileged to serve as a delegate and to attend the reunion. I was especially honored to see convention chairman Bubba Henry and my old friend Chris Roy, who served with me on the Committee on Bill of Rights and Elections, which drafted the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution. I sat with my friend, former Gov. Buddy Roemer, and enjoyed our visit very much. Overall, it was wonderful to see so many old friends and to reminisce about those days of long ago when we were able to make some history for our state. The World War II Museum is a great facility. I can’t wait to go back for a more extended visit. I took some photos of the CC/73 Reunion and have posted a photo album at http://centralcitynews.smugmug.com/Politics/CC73-Reunion-New-Orleans-1-11/35983379_SWVsKZ#!i=3019924792&k=4j2VJB8“