June 8, 1998
SPEAKER RECEIVES PRESERVATION AWARD
The Foundation for Historical Louisiana honored Louisiana House Speaker Hunt Downer by presenting him with one of three 1998 Preservation awards. The ceremony was held June 4 at the Camelot Club in Baton Rouge.
In presenting the award the Foundation paid tribute to Downer "as a statesman whose platform is heritage. We salute his outstanding leadership and unbounded energy in the restoration of the House Chamber in Louisiana's Art Deco landmark--the New State Capitol."
The foundation applauded his efforts to recover original furniture and fixtures to the building and his restoration of the capitol, particularly the "suspended ceiling and artwork-on-high in the House Chamber and Memorial Hall...Louisiana constituents and visitors from around the world stand in awe within this timeless masterpiece. The Pentagon Barracks and the exterior of our State Capitol, too, have become the beneficiaries of Mr. Downer's stewardship. We thank our favorite 'political preservationist' for this remarkable 'voting record' on behalf of our Louisiana patrimony."
Downer said he was honored to be recognized by the Foundation but feels it is his duty to preserve this legacy of Louisiana.
"Louisianians have much of which to be proud. That pride is rooted in our history and heritage. What better way to foster that pride than through historical preservation. Much of the history of our state and government is reflected in our state capitol, the monument Huey Long built to our citizens. It would be a tremendous disservice to our people and a sad loss to allow this building and its rich and colorful artwork and furnishings, which can never be replaced and which represent a special time in our history to fall into disrepair and be lost forever."
The Louisiana State Capitol was built in just 14 months and completed in 1932 at a cost of $5 million. It is the tallest state capitol in the country and the most visited. The estimated cost to build the capitol today stands at approximately $500 million, excluding the artwork and furnishings.
Also honored were Rosan Jordan and Frank de Caro who site their preservation activities in the "area of cultural conservation" and Nathalie diBenedetto, a member of the Foundation.
##