Flag Presented in Honor of Washington Parish 200th Anniversary

Seth Descant, President of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce, and Senator Beth Mizell presented to Washington Parish President Richard N. Thomas, Jr., the United States Flag which was flown on March 6, 2019 over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. per the request of Senator Bill Cassidy in honor of the 200th Anniversary of Washington Parish.

Click on "Read More" below the picture for the Congressional Record entry made by Senator Bill Cassidy.

Congressional Record: Proceedings and debates of the 116th congress, 

first edition, vol. 165 no 40 from March 6, 2019

200TH ANNIVERSARY OF WASHINGTON PARISH

 Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, today I wish to acknowledge the 

200th anniversary of the founding of Washington Parish in my home State 

of Louisiana. It is a parish filled with determined and patriotic 

citizens who work day in and day out to better our State and our 

Nation.

  Washington Parish, named in honor of our first President, is located 

in the section of Louisiana known as the Florida Parishes. The parish 

government was founded on March 6, 1819, and a few years later, the 

town of Franklinton would become the permanent parish seat. The parish 

covers 676 square miles with the Mississippi State line serving as the 

eastern and northern borders.

  The area is rich with American history. In 1814, Andrew Jackson 

marched with his soldiers across the Pearl River and recruited many of 

the local citizens to join them in the Battle of New Orleans. The 

``Military Road'' constructed by General Andrew Jackson crossed the 

Pearl River into present-day Bogalusa. Records from the War Department 

show the future President and his troops made camp in the area on 

November 28, 1814.

  As one of the most rural parts of the State, the parish is known for 

its pine forests, rolling hills, and many farms. The people who call 

Washington Parish home are incredibly proud of their local heritage, 

good food, and for hosting the Washington Parish Free Fair, the 

Nation's largest free fair.

  I would like to wish the citizens of Washington Parish a very happy 

bicentennial and thank them for their many contributions over the last 

200 years to our beautiful State and to our Nation.