This resolution commends the Caesars Superdome on its golden jubilee, recognizing its 50 years of hosting major sporting, cultural, and critical community service events for Louisiana and the nation.
John Kennedy
Senator
LA
This resolution commends the Caesars Superdome on the occasion of its golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years of service to Louisiana and the United States. It recognizes the venue's history of hosting major sporting events, cultural performances, and serving as a vital shelter during numerous hurricanes. The resolution officially honors the facility's enduring legacy and recent modernizations.
Superdome Resolution Celebrates 50 Years of Football, Concerts, and Critical Shelter
This resolution is essentially a legislative birthday card, celebrating the golden jubilee—50 years—of the Louisiana Superdome (now the Caesars Superdome). It doesn't change any laws, spend any money, or create a new government program. Instead, it serves as an official, highly detailed historical tribute from the Senate, recognizing the venue's half-century of service to Louisiana and the United States.
The Dome’s Greatest Hits: More Than Just Football
For most people, the Superdome means Saints football or maybe the Final Four. This resolution confirms that history, listing major sporting milestones like Muhammad Ali’s 1978 heavyweight title win and LSU’s multiple college football championships. But it also highlights the cultural heavy hitters, name-checking performances by the Rolling Stones and the legendary Rat Pack trio of Sinatra, Minnelli, and Davis Jr. It’s a formal acknowledgment that the Dome has been a major economic and cultural engine for five decades.
When the Dome Became a Lifeline
The most significant part of this resolution, however, isn't about the touchdowns or the concerts—it's about the Dome's role as a critical public shelter. The text specifically recalls times the venue transformed into a refuge for Louisianians during catastrophic weather events. It housed thousands during Hurricane Georges in 1998, provided shelter for the elderly during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and, most famously, served 30,000 people during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This section formally recognizes the building’s function as a crucial piece of disaster infrastructure, not just an entertainment venue.
Sending Thanks to the Key Players
In a final act of commendation, the resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send official copies to key figures tied to the Dome’s history and recent evolution. This includes Saints owner Gayle M. Benson, the family of the late Saints founder David F. Dixon, and Victor F. Trahan, the architect who oversaw the major post-Katrina renovations. This move ties the historical celebration to the people who continue to manage and maintain the massive structure, acknowledging the recent $560 million renovation completed in 2024. For local residents, this resolution is a formal recognition of a landmark that has been central to the state’s identity, economy, and resilience through good times and bad.