PROCLAMATION by Governor Mike Foster Declaring April to be Confederate History Month. (Original proclamation on display at the Young-Sanders Center for the Study of the War Between the States in Louisiana.)

Whereas, on January 26, 186, the state of Louisiana declared itself to
be a free and independent state and subsequently joined the Confederate
States of America of which it was a member from 1861 until 1865; and

Whereas the state of Louisiana contributed many soldiers and sailors to
the service of the Confederate States; and

Whereas, the Louisianians who served on both sides of the War Between
the States are memorialized in almost every parish in the state; and

Whereas, all citizens of the state of Louisiana should study the War
Between the States, as we study all wars, so that we may understand the
historical events which compelled the war and, from that understanding,
continue to learn to live together and seek to avoid further conflicts;

Now, Therefore, I, M.J. "Mike Foster, Jr. Governor of the state of
Louisiana, do hereby designate the month of April, 1999, as

Confederate History Month

in the state of Louisiana, and urge all citizens of the state to engage
in a historical study of the events of the years 1861 to 1865,
inclusinve, and to solemnly contemplate that time in our history.

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 25th day of February A.D. 1999

signed: M.J. Foster
Governor of Louisiana

Attest By the Governor:
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State