Thank you for visiting our Cultural Assets Rescue Website. Over the past years, the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism have been working hand in glove with the Governor's office, the City of New Orleans, and state and federal agencies in post-hurricane recovery efforts.

Louisiana's heritage, including New Orleans, is a gumbo of Native Americans and exiles from Acadie in Canada, French expatriates and French Creoles, Creoles of Color, Freed People of Color, and Americans. Tradition, family, food, music and joie de vivre are fundamentals of life in Louisiana. The people and cultures of Louisiana are more unique and authentic than anywhere else in the country. Sprinkled across Louisiana are bayous, sugar cane and rice fields, piney woods, crawfish ponds, lakes, marshes, and rivers, creating a unique landscape you can't find anyplace else in the world.

The 2005 storm season pressed upon us an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild, relying on Louisiana's rich cultural heritage. You are the stewards of our nation's cultural economy and I encourage you to contribute ideas to rebuild an American cultural asset. Help us restore the "Soul of America!" We have put structures in place to receive and implement the best ideas. Through Louisiana's vibrant Cultural Economy Initiative, we've responded to the realities of recent events and designed a strategic plan, Louisiana REBIRTH. It helped us map our way back to restoring this "soul" with a set of strategic initiatives fueled by the spirit of hope. We welcome your help and want you to be a part of Louisiana and America's New South history.

As you navigate the cultural resources collected at this site you will see opportunities to help and get help, as well as links to information and efforts compiled by others. Please give us your feedback to help make this website more meaningful and useful. The resilience and courage of the residents of this state who are helping is not only moving, but also inspiring. We are One Louisiana, and as the world watches, we will stand together.

Mitchell J. Landrieu
Lieutenant Governor