Lt.Gov. Dardenne to Establish WBTS Sesquicentennial Commission

La. Gov. Thomas Overton Moore
who called for a secession
convention after the election
of Lincoln.
(William Emerson Strong Photograph Album,
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special
Collections Library, Duke University.)

    Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne has received the go-ahead from Gov. Bobby Jindal to establish a War Between the States Sesquicentennial Commission. The Shreveport Times reported that Jindal's office told them it was okay with him as long as it doesn't cost the state any money and its members serve on a voluntary basis.
   Dardenne agreed to those terms and will appoint a commission along the lines of other states with such commissions. Among the possible members mentioned by the Times are Gary Joiner, historian/ author of a number of books on the Red River Campaign; Tom Pressly, historian/researcher; Chuck McMichael, immediate past national commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans; Dr. C.O. Simpkins, dentist and Civil Rights icon; and former Greenwood Mayor Ernest Lampkins.
   Dardenne was quoted in the Times as saying, We're behind the curve a little bit with what other states are doing," said Dardenne, whose office encompasses tourism and tourist development. "I'm anxious to see what other states have done. I think its' a tremendous tourist opportunity for the state because we have such a rich history, not only in terms of Civil War battles, but also Lincoln's plans for Reconstruction, which were focused around Louisiana. There's a lot of different angles that play into Louisiana's history and need to be remembered and examined during the course of the Sesquicentennial."