By Josh Guillory, Mayor of Lafayette, La., November 26, 2021
WHEREAS, Olympic weightlifting and powerlifters are sports of extreme strength, perseverance, and determination; and
WHEREAS, Olympic weightlifters and powerlifters are goal-oriented, and possess characteristics of physical strength, mental toughness, affective concentration, stability; and
WHEREAS, for 13 straight years, beginning in 1957, the University of Southwestern Louisiana Weightlifting Team won an unprecedented eight NCAA National Collegiate Weightlifting Championships, including the university’s first National Championship in any sport; and
WHEREAS, the documentary, Ragin’ 13, by Nicholas Campbell, and the compendium book, The University of Louisiana’s National Championship Weightlifting Teams, written by attorney Warren Perrin, honor these worthy teams for their successes, triumphs, and dedication; and
WHEREAS, five former Olympic Weightlifters have become the first to be inducted into the newly established Louisiana Weightlifting Hall of Fame, created to pay tribute to former athletes, coaches, administrators, and others who have made exceptional contributions to the sport of weightlifting and powerlifting.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSH GUILLORY, LAFAYETTE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, do hereby proclaim November 26, 2021 as
“Olympic Weightlifting and Powerlifting Day”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Office of the Mayor-President to be affixed this 1st day of November, 26, 2021.
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JOSH GUILLORY
LAFAYETTE MAYOR-PRESIDENT