WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), announced National Seersucker Day will be held this year on Thursday, June 13.
“Seersucker is uniquely American – a beloved New Orleans invention. National Seersucker Day is an opportunity to come together as Americans and have fun with a summer staple,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I encourage all to participate in this celebration of American culture and look forward to continuing this tradition alongside my colleague Senator Feinstein.”
“I remember when Senator Trent Lott started National Seersucker Day in 1996 in an effort to encourage collegiality. I was glad to play a small part then in getting the Senate women involved,” said Senator Feinstein.“I’m pleased Senator Cassidy has revived this tradition in the Senate, and I look forward to participating. I encourage all of our colleagues to join us.”
Seersucker suits were popularized by a New Orleans businessman in the early 1900s. Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) brought Seersucker Thursday to Congress in 1996. After the tradition went unobserved in 2012 and 2013, Dr. Cassidy revived National Seersucker Day in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and has continued the tradition in the Senate with the help of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Cassidy invites Americans from all over our great nation to don their warm weather finest on this National Seersucker Day. All senators are invited for an official photograph at the Ohio Clock in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, June 13, at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Cassidy entered the following statement establishing the sixth annual National Seersucker Day into the Congressional Record:
Mr. President, today I rise in recognition of seersucker manufacturers and enthusiasts across the United States. I wish everyone a Happy National Seersucker Day. This uniquely American fashion has a storied history dating back to 1909. The first seersucker suit was designed by Joseph Haspel at his Broad Street facility in New Orleans, LA. Louisiana is proud to have played an important part in introducing the country to seersucker apparel.
This lightweight cotton fabric, known for its signature pucker, has been worn and enjoyed by Americans across the country during the hot summer months. Mr. Haspel said it best: “Hot is hot, no matter what you do for a living.”
In the 1990s, Seersucker Day was established by Members of this Chamber to honor this unique American fashion. I proudly resumed this tradition in 2014 in the U.S. House of Representatives and continued this tradition in the U.S. Senate. This year, I wish to designate Thursday, June 13, as the sixth annual National Seersucker Day. I encourage everyone to wear seersucker on this day to commemorate this traditionally American clothing.
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