Michael M. Bush displays the donation slip given to customers of Mississippi River bank when they contribute to the Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration.

Mississippi River Bank President and CEO Michael M. Bush is aiding the push for a Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration funded by the people of Louisiana.

The Louisiana Bicentennial Commission is part of Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne’s office, and their goal is to honor Louisiana’s 200 years of statehood in 2012 with a series of events showcasing the various cultural and historical aspects of the state. The commission is led by retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, a Louisiana native famous for his efforts in Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s a time for us to be proud of our state and we want everyone to be excited about the commemoration,” Honoré said in a statement to the press.

Lt. Gen. Honoré has called for every resident of Louisiana to donate $1 to cover the cost of the celebration. Currently, the cost for the year-long, state-wide commemoration is estimated to be between $3 million and $5 million.

To aid in the fundraising effort, Bush has made donation certificates available at the teller windows of all his Mississippi River Bank locations, and has called for all banks in the state to do the same.

“It became my idea to bring all the banks in,” Bush said. “I figure, do this and you have [the people] committed, and they’ll remember it more than if it were state supported.”

The main bicentennial event is scheduled for April 30, 2012, in Baton Rouge, which is 200 years to the day since The Orleans Territory was officially recognized as Louisiana, the eighteenth American state.