Title: Louisiana Newsletter March 2023 (Keynotes) Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/louisiana-newsletter-march-2023-keynotes|louisiana-newsletter-march-2023-keynotes]] Login Required to view? No Attached File: KeyNotes_March_2023.pdf Created: 2023-03-22 18:56:19 Updated: 2024-03-22 23:00:00 Published: 2023-03-21 08:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T20:11:15.313366091 ---- {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto001.png?nolink&918x1188 |background image}} **1** //Declaration of Independence, // //Constitution, & // //Bill of Rights // //are known // //collectively as the// // Charters of Freedom// page 4-5 //Preserve Constitutional// // Originalism!// //The First// //Core Value// page 10-11  Mark Levin page 12-13 ** Original “Bill Of Rights”** **Louisiana Round-Up!** **Core Values** //An Example// // of What // //Diligence // //Can Accomplish // page 2-3 //conventionofstates.com/\\ surveys/la-advocacy-day-2023/take// //Speaker’s Spotlights// // LA Meetings //page 6-7 //&// //Advocacy day// page 8-9 **Bryce Barras** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto002.png?nolink&1836x1188 |background image}} **2** **3** **Shift of Focus\\ **Now that Louisiana is part \\ of the two-thirds,  **Barras ** says the focus should be \\ on building grassroots \\ activism. He believes \\ power is in locality, and \\ continued relationship \\ building with legislators \\ will establish a conduit for \\ that power to pull back the \\ juggernaut that the federal \\ government has become. \\ He recommends walking \\ into the local legislator’s \\ office, letting them know \\ you are with COS, and building that relationship. //Take \\ the initiative, strategize, and get involved. Activist training \\ is key.// That is why he helped start the collection of \\ videos called  //**Convention of States University **//**(COSU)**,  that teach COS volunteers how to become involved \\ in the political realm and how the individual can put \\ their unique talents to work to help steer our country \\ back to its founding principles.   **Be a Part \\ Barras** is confident that within 10 years, an Article 5  constitutional convention will be held. You can be part \\ of this by going to  **COSAction** (conventionofstates. com). If others work as diligently as  **Barras** and his  team, the convention could be held much sooner. \\ Thanks go to them, and thanks to all who are involved \\ in helping to return our country to its position of \\ protection, prosperity, and freedom.  [[http://youtu.be/VXopZcMswSw|youtu.be/VXopZcMswSw ]]Louisiana high school students testify for Convention of States Danny Bolden ecognizing the need for a convention of  states, Louisiana became the  //**eighth **//state to  pass the Convention of States Resolution. \\ This resolution will ultimately bring about  the passage of amendments to the United  States Constitution that will limit the power  and jurisdiction of the federal government,  impose fiscal restraints, and place term  limits on federal officials. Since then,  **11**  more states have passed the resolution.  Article 5 of the Constitution states that two-\\ thirds of the states must pass such a resolution \\ before this convention can be called to assembly. \\ Therefore 15 more states, for a total of 34, must \\ pass their own Article 5 Convention of States \\ Resolution. A state legislature’s approval of a \\ COS Resolution does not come about on its \\ own, but requires a similar effort as was put forth \\ by  **Louisiana’s Bryce Barras** of New Orleans to  accomplish this task. **Commitment\\ Barras’** love of history was part of the catalyst  that led him to involvement in the political \\ process. He was particularly interested in U. \\ S. history and western thought and read many \\ books that had influenced the country’s founders. \\ At age 24,  **Barras **heard about the Convention  of States organization through  **Mark Levine’s ** radio program and jumped on board. He became \\ even more involved when asked to be the \\ Louisiana State Director for COS. Coming out of \\ Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond \\ ready for the information technology field,  **Barras** faced decisions. Should he go full speed  into his career or spend long hours and have a \\ very limited social life by leading in advancing \\ a Convention of States Resolution through the  Louisiana legislature? Taking into consideration his \\ future children and grandchildren and the character \\ of the country that he would be a part of forming, he \\ chose the latter. **Strategy\\ Barras** took the COS state director position and  together with other key players, developed and \\ implemented a strategy to add Louisiana to the two-\\ thirds tally. They saw this as an uphill battle since they \\ would be lobbying a Democrat-controlled committee, \\ but they planned a sound strategy. //They met and began \\ building relationships with Louisiana legislators, especially \\ the committee chairman that would handle their resolution.// ** Barras’ **team was influential in promoting the  resolution in Louisiana high schools to garner support \\ among educators and those about to become part \\ of the electorate. Some of the girls from these high \\ schools took what they had learned about Article \\ 5 and the need to put additional constitutional \\ restrictions on the federal government and testified \\ before the committee considering the convention of \\ states resolution. Their persuasive testimony provided \\ additional leverage for  **Barras** and company to move  the committee in their direction. **Trailblazing\\ **Initially, the bill failed but  **Barras**’ team pressed on  with their game plan of persuading politicians and \\ others through relationship building and educating \\ on the purpose of Article 5. Their efforts bore the \\ desired results in 2016 when the resolution was \\ passed. Through their continued work and that of ** ** **Representative Mark Abraham**//, a template was created // //in 2018// for selecting commissioners to represent the \\ state when a convention of states is called.  **HCR4 **is an  example that other states can follow to help expedite \\ their readiness for a convention of states.    Take  the       initiative,  strategize,  and  get  involved.  Activist  training  is  key {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto003.png?nolink&1836x1188 |background image}} **4** **5** //**Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, **// //**or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of **// //**speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, **// //**and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.**// //**Note: The following text is a transcription of the first two amendments to the Constitution in their original form.  \\ These amendments were ratified **// //**December 15, 1791, and form part of what is known as the **// //**“Bill of Rights.”**// //**These three documents, known collectively as the **// //**Charters of Freedom, **// //**have secured the rights of the American people for more  than two and a quarter centuries **// //**and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.**// //Encounter the original founding documents// //Virtual Tour of the Museum in English and American Sign Language (ASL// //**)**// //As Daniel Webster observed. “The  Constitution has enemies, secret and professed… They have hot heads and cold hearts. They are rash, reckless, and fierce \\ for change, and with no affection for the existing institutions of their country. Other enemies there are, more and cool, and with more calculation.These have a \\ deeper and more fixed and dangerous purpose. These are those in the country who profess in their own words, even to hate the constitution....”// //The first and second amendments are under assault today by forces that oppose our founding documents. // //There are those that desire to radically change us into a Marxist/Socialist nation.// Amendment I [[http://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript|www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript]] //**A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, **// //**the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.**// //**Click on link below to encounter the original founding documents of the United States**// //**in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, the permanent home of the **// //**Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights**// [[http://museum.archives.gov/founding-documents#billofrights|museum.archives.gov/founding-documents#billofrights]] //Our founding fathers signed their lives and rights away. “We the People” need to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain. // //We need to defend and preserve our great constitution for ourselves and our posterity.// The U.S. Bill of Rights [[http://youtu.be/6uZac3anNM0|youtu.be/6uZac3anNM0]] Amendment II {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto004.png?nolink&1836x1188 |background image}} **6** **7** hree major areas in the state, **Greater Baton Rouge, the Northshore**, and the **New Orleans Metro Area**, hold regular monthly //**COS meetings**//. Attendance  at  these meetings grow steadily each month, due in part to a great line-up of guest speakers addressing issues of interest to the people of Louisiana.   Current  **Legislative Liaison Dale Clar y** and **JC Harmon**, who held the position previously, have been popular speakers in all three  locations, speaking on such issues as getting to know your legislators, how a bill becomes a law, and specific pieces of legislation strengthening self-governance, \\ always of interest to our grassroots organization. State legislators have been invited to speak on their own self-governance legislation.  \\ Greater Baton Rouge area guest legislators have included //Senator Franklin Foil// and //Representatives Rick Edmonds, Blake Miguez//, and //Larry Frieman//.  //Legislative Assistant, \\ Tori Hymel,// spoke recently about //Representative Valarie  Hodges’s// proposed legislation for the upcoming legislative session. The //**COS Northshore Region**// has heard from \\ //Representatives Mark Wright, Mary DuBuisson// and //Ray Garofalo// while New Orleans Metro had //Representative John Illg//, Senator //Kirk Talbot// and Senator //Cameron Henry //as \\ guest speakers. \\   **Election integrity** is a topic of great interest to the //COSLA team//.  As a commissioner on the Secretary of State’s Voting System Commission,** LL Dale Clary **kept all \\ three regions apprised of the progress of this commission.  //Dr. Randy Russ// and //John Scanlan//, who have done extensive research into election integrity in Louisiana, have \\ been popular speakers in all three regions.\\   **Education** is a topic that Louisianans want to hear about.  COS Volunteer Activist **Jennifer Carignan**,  **the founder of Save Our Schools \\ **Louisiana, has presented information about CRT and SEL to both the Northshore and New Orleans meetings.  **Tiffany Hatten**, also a COS Volunteer Activist and the \\ **founder of LA Parents Choice**, has kept the Baton Rouge area informed about these same topics.   \\  \\ All three regional meetings have provided their audiences with information about getting involved in the election process with speakers such as //Sue Roundtree, St. \\ Tammany Parish Elections Commissioner-in-Charge// at the Northshore meeting; //Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court Jon Gegenheimer//;  and// Brandon Abadie, East Baton Rouge \\ Parish Clerk of Court.\\ // \\ Other popular events/speakers have included former state //Representative Woody  Jenkins// in Baton Rouge; //Chris Alexander, \\ founder  **Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group (LACAG**//**)** in the Northshore; and a movie night in Metairie.\\  \\ The public is invited to any of these meetings:\\ **Baton Rouge - the first Thursday of the month at the EBR Parish Main Library on Goodwood Blvd. at 6:00.\\ Northshore - the first Thursday of the month; locations rotate among the Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell libraries and start at 6:00.\\ New Orleans Metro Area - 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30; locations vary.\\ District 65  - the third Sunday of the month; EBRPL Central Branch at 3:00 p.m.** ** ** ** //                                   //** //**( **//For more information, please go to the state calendar at)  //**                                                                                                      **// Louisiana Meetings [[http://teamup.com/ksstk54j8phu5ksjtg?|//https:%%//%%teamup.com/ksstk54j8phu5ksjtg?//]] {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto005.png?nolink&1836x1188 |background image}} **8** **9** //**What is Advocacy Day**//?\\        • A day to share information about Convention of States with legislators and with the public.        • An opportunity to tell our legislators //**“Thank you” for serving the people of Louisiana.**//        • A chance to meet and greet freedom-loving patriots from around the state.        • An opportunity to see the legislature at work in committee and on the House or Senate floors. When?  **Tuesday, April 11, 2023** Where?**  The Rotunda of the State Capitol - 900 North Third Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802** Time?     //We will arrive to set up our tables at 10:00 a.m. We would like for everyone to assemble// //                  at the COS tables at 11:00 for pictures and further instructions.// //                  If you wish to go to the observation deck or take a tour, the Capitol opens at 8:00. You may// //                  also wish to attend any committee meetings in progress. Some of us will stay until the// //                  legislature dismisses for the evening; however, we understand that some of you will need to// //                  leave earlier to return home before it gets too late. Stay as long as you wish.// Specifics you need to know: //                  State Capitol website:// [[http://crt.state.la.us/tourism/welcome-centers/state-capitol/|//                 https:%%//%%crt.state.la.us/tourism/welcome-centers/state-capitol///]] //Parking: River Road levee - free, open-air parking lot. Walk East on State Capitol Drive and// //enter the building under the steps. Then, take the elevator to the first floor where you will see// //our tables.// //The House Dining Hall is on the Ground Level and is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. until// //2:00 p.m.// [[http://%20legis.la.gov|//Meeting with your legislators: Find your legislators by going to //https:%%//%%l]][[legis.la.gov/legis/home.aspx%0A|egis.la.gov/legis/home.aspx]] //and typing in your address. Someone on the team can show you how to complete a form to ask your legislators// //to come talk to you, if you wish.// Dress: We try to dress in similar fashion to the legislators. If in doubt, check out pictures on the legis.la.gov website. //**We hope to see you there. Please RSVP here:**// Advocacy Day  Advoc R e m i n d e r ! R e m i n d e //**Suggested Business Casual Dress Shirt and Tie**// Advocacy Day Advoc **! ** //**Louisiana Convention of States Advocacy Day at the Louisiana State Capitol is almost here.**// //This is one of two in-person events that the LA COS team has each year, and we want you to be there//! [[http://conventionofstates.com/surveys/%0Aadvocacy-day-april-11-2023/take%0A| https:%%//%%conventionofstates.com/surveys/advocacy-day-april-11-2023/take]] {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto006.png?nolink&1836x1188 |background image}} **10** **11** **Preserve Constitutional Originalism:** **he U.S. Constitution is under constant assault. ** **The goal of COSA is to restore and preserve our Constitution ** **as written.  Article 1 of the Constitution gives law-making ** **responsibilities to Congress.** ** Most of our laws are not being created by Congress.** **They are being created by "executive orders" and bureaucratic ** **regulations.** **The court system also legislates from the bench.** **Our goal is to preserve the Constitution as written by using the ** **second part of Article V of the Constitution. What could be more ** **righteous and more honoring to our Founding Fathers?** **What could promote liberty more?                                  Dave Landry** //The first//** CORE VALUE** //You can help us Preserve Constitutional Originalism through our// //** Article V Project  **// //by going to//[[conventionofstates.com|** conventionofstates.com **]]//and signing the petition. // **e believe in the Golden Rule; we treat others the way we ** **want to be treated. We seek to have positive interactions ** **with others while being professional, respectful, and speaking ** **the truth boldly and with love.** **We adhere to the wisdom of the Founding Fathers as expressed ** **in our governing documents, and to the original meaning of ** **their language. We actively work to restore limited, constitu-** **tional government, federalism, individual rights, and America as ** **the beacon of freedom to the World.** {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto007.png?nolink&1836x1188 |background image}} **12** **13** Mark Levin just threw down the gauntlet! **Mark Levin** just called out every politician in \\ the room. //The Great One //was speaking on stage \\ at **CPAC**, addressing a room full of conservative \\ activists and politicians. He didn’t mince his \\ words when it came to Convention of States. **“Convention of States** is the **ONLY** \\ constitutional way to get our country back. And \\ it will get it back in fundamental ways. //**We will \\ use the constitution to save the constitution…”**// **Then he threw down the gauntlet. ** **“But wouldn’t it be nice if we heard here at \\ CPAC at least one damn politician get up and \\ say, ‘I’d encourage you to support Convention \\ of States.’ **Rather than say, ‘//We’re gonna cut \\ this and we’re gonna cut that.’ No you’re \\ not! Because Washington is not going to fix \\ Washington. YOU are going to fix Washington \\ through Convention of States, Article V!”// There’s a reason nearly every conservative \\ political commentator is an endorser of \\ Convention of States.  They’ve spent their lifetimes closely tracking \\ politics. They’ve watched administrations \\ come and go, congressman after congressman \\ promise change…\\ and then fail.  After watching the same cycle repeat itself over \\ and over, these men and women are realizing  that **Article V** is the only solution that will truly \\ make a lasting impact. And they’re using their megaphones to make \\ sure every liberty loving American knows that \\ COS is the ONLY solution. While on **Gutfeld!, Pete Hegeseth** \\ interjected, //“Thankfully, there is something \\ called Convention of States Article V in our \\ Constitution//. It’s gathering momentum. Twenty \\ states have almost passed it…because you’re \\ exactly right. //Federalism is our only way out of \\ this.”// Meanwhile, **Tucker Carlson** hosted **Mark \\ Meckler **for a segment on how Convention of \\ States will// limit the power and jurisdiction// of the \\ federal government, impose //fiscal restraints//, and \\ place// term limit//s on federal officials — the only \\ way to bring lasting change to Washington, D.C. **But ultimately, it doesn’t matter what the \\ talking heads think. What matters is that this is \\ a movement of the American people.** Thanks to our well-trained grassroots army, 19 \\ states have passed the COS Resolution. It only \\ takes 34 states to call the convention, and right \\ now, we have our sights set on number 20.                           //Thank you for standing with us, \\ //                                                   Mark Meckler- \\                                        President  Convention of States Action  **Mark Levin** “//The Great One//” {{:cb_mirror_public:media:files_19648_pdfto008.png?nolink&918x1188 |background image}} **14** ** Paid for by Convention of States Action, President Mark Meckler** **5850 San Felipe, Ste. 580A, Houston, TX 77057 Phone: (540) 441-7227 ** //**Not authorized by any candidate or committee or in support of, **// //**or opposition to, any candidate, committee or proposition.**// **FOLLOW US: ** //**Interested in signing the petition, getting involved or joining one of our Teams?**// //**For more information go to[[https://conventionofstates.com| https:%%//%%conventionofstates.com]]**// Keynotes //**is published periodically **// //**by **//**Convention of States Action Louisiana. ** **Newsletter Team includes:** //**Julie Sandifer - State Director **// //**Newsletter Editor & Designer - Glenda Hardey**// //https:%%//%%[[http://conventionofstates.com/louisiana-home-webpage|conventionofstates.com/louisiana-home-webpage]]// //**Also go to our Louisiana Home **// //**Webpage for Information**//