To: Heads of State Agencies and Human Resource Directors

Subject: Proclamation For Memorial Day

Issue Date: May 1, 1996

There is quoted below for your information and guidance a proclamation issued on April 26, 1996 by the Honorable M. J. "Mike" Foster, Jr., Governor of Louisiana.

STATE OF LOUISIANA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

BATON ROUGE

P R O C L A M A T I O N

WHEREAS: Memorial Day is a holiday that has been celebrated in the United States since the Civil War; and

WHEREAS: Memorial Day is both sacred and secular as a holy day and a holiday; and

WHEREAS: the people of Louisiana recognize and honor on Memorial Day the heroic men and women who sacrificed their lives through military service; and

WHEREAS: Memorial Day provides an opportunity for all people to renew their patriotic commitment to the democratic principles of freedom and equality; and

WHEREAS: the last Monday in May has been federally established as the day to celebrate Memorial Day; and

WHEREAS: LSA-R.S. 1:55 provides that the Governor shall, by executive proclamation, declare National Memorial Day as a state holiday;

NOW THEREFORE I, M. J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the State of
Louisiana, by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby proclaim Monday, May 27, 1996, as

M E M O R I A L D A Y

in the state of Louisiana and do hereby direct that the heads of all institutions, offices and departments of the state shall permit all employees to observe this holiday, except provision shall be made for the efficient administration of all facilities, the operation of which cannot be dispensed with, in the discretion of the head of the institution, office or department where such conditions prevail.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto 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 26th day of April, 1996.

s/___M. J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR.
Governor of Louisiana

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR

s/ Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State

Sincerely,

Herbert L. Sumrall
Director