STATE OF LOUISIANA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
General Circular No. 001556
To: Heads of State Agencies and Human Resource Directors
Subject: Proclamation of Holiday – January 19, 2004
Issue Date: January 14, 2004
There is quoted below for your information and guidance a proclamation issued on January 13, 2004 by the Honorable Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Governor of Louisiana
STATE OF LOUISIANA
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
BATON ROUGE
PROCLAMATION NO. 1 KBB 2004
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LEGAL HOLIDAY – DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S BIRTHDAY
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WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana applauds the historic societal contributions made by those Americans who dedicated their lives to teach the values of racial equality, tolerance and justice, unifying all Americans without consideration of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, or political affiliation;
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is esteemed as the man who led by example and showed the world that nonviolent action is the most powerful, revolutionary force for social change and the solidarity of America;
WHEREAS, Dr. King inspired Americans to realize a dream that human beings should be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. He motivated people to serve one another and taught that the value of service was the hallmark to a full life; and
WHEREAS, in tribute to this great American teacher and leader, who ultimately paid the highest price for a unified America, on the 75th anniversary of his birth, R.S. 1:55 (B)(2) authorizes the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday;
NOW THEREFORE I, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:
SECTION 1: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s celebrated birthday, Monday, January 19, 2004, is declared a legal holiday in the state of Louisiana and shall be observed as a day of rest.
SECTION 2: Insofar as practicable, the appointing authorities and/or heads of all institutions, offices and departments of the state (hereafter "appointing authority") shall permit the officers and employees under their control to observe January 19, 2004, as a day of rest. Nonetheless, an appointing authority shall have discretion to require said officers or employees to work on the holiday when, in the appointing authority's judgment, it is required for the efficient administration of a state facility, the operation of which is necessary and indispensable to the citizens of the state.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of Louisiana, at the capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 13th day of January, 2004.
s/Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA
ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
s/Fox McKeithen
SECRETARY OF STATE
Sincerely,
s/Allen H. Reynolds
Director