A move to honor one of Louisiana’s most influential civil rights leaders is gaining significant momentum in the state legislature. House Bill 129, authored by Representative Daryl Joy Walters, proposes to rename a section of Louisiana Highway 173 in Caddo Parish as the “Dr. Harry Blake, Sr. Memorial Highway.”
The designated stretch would run from Elder Street and North Holtzman Avenue to Common Street in Shreveport—an area deeply connected to the late pastor’s life and ministry.
Status of the Bill
As of late March 2026, the bill is moving swiftly through the legislative process:
- House Approval: On March 24, 2026, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed HB 129 with a unanimous 100-0 vote, signaling strong bipartisan support for honoring Dr. Blake’s legacy.
- Senate Movement: The bill has been received by the Senate and was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works on March 25, 2026.
- Next Steps: If the Senate committee reports the bill favorably, it will move to the full Senate floor for a final vote before heading to the Governor’s desk.
Under the current language of the bill, the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will erect the memorial signs once local or private funds are secured to cover the installation costs, capped at $750 per sign.
Who was Rev. Dr. Harry Blake?
The renaming serves as a tribute to a man who transitioned from the fields of a Louisiana plantation to the front lines of the American Civil Rights Movement.
A Life of Service and Struggle
Born in 1934, Dr. Blake grew up as a sharecropper’s son. He often spoke of being “liberated” from the plantation after finishing college. His leadership blossomed in 1960 when he joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak.
Key Achievements:
- Civil Rights Leader: He served as the SCLC’s first field secretary, working directly alongside Dr. King. He survived multiple assassination attempts and brutal beatings by police during the struggle for voting rights in the 1960s.
- Faith Leader: For over 50 years, he served as the pastor of Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport, transforming it into a cornerstone of community advocacy and spiritual growth.
- National Influence: Beyond Shreveport, he held prestigious roles including President of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention and General Secretary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Dr. Blake passed away in 2020 at the age of 85, but the passage of HB 129 ensures that his name will remain a permanent fixture in the community he fought so hard to improve.
