August 18, 1998

    The Office of Public Information of the La. House of Representatives received two awards from the Southern Public Relations Federation at their 24th Annual Lantern Awards Luncheon in New Orleans August 8. The ceremony honored this year's top public relations achievements in a four-state area. These include Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.

    The House received a Lantern Award in the "Special Events Publication" category for the House Rededication Ceremony program and a Certificate of Achievement Award in the category "Total Public Relations Program" for its Citizen Awareness Project .

    The Lantern Award is given to work deemed outstanding in its field and surpasses all other entries in the category. The Certificate of Achievement is presented to recognize notable work in the field of public relations.

    Speaker Hunt Downer said, "I think it is fantastic that the House of Representatives is being recognized for its innovations and efforts in bringing government to the people. We have professionalized our staff and encouraged them to be innovative and to think outside the box in order to focus on state government's customer, our citizens. Receipt of these awards shows that we are on the right track. Sheila McCant and the Public Information Office staff get kudos for putting the programs together."

    The objective of the House Chamber Rededication Program was to publicize the restoration of Louisiana's House of Representatives Chamber, stressing the importance of preserving Louisiana's culture and political heritage. Aside from informing the public of the project's historical and political importance and commemorating the renovation itself, the office wanted to bring attention to the chamber's history, art and architecture.

    Downer said, "The Rededication Program links the past with the future. It demonstrates the importance of preserving our political heritage and at the same time preparing for the next century through technology. The restoration of the House Chamber gives Louisiana citizens, the people we serve, easier access to their legislature."

    In addition to news releases and press kits highlighting the project the office researched, designed and printed a program to commemorate and immortalize past and present renovations. This is the only written compilation of Chamber renovation history. A commemorative poster was also designed and printed which highlights some of the Chamber's unique artwork. The poster includes pictures of the restored chamber ceiling, the one ton bronze chandeliers and grille work as well as a 1932 photograph of the Chamber. Proceeds from the sale of the poster go to the Louisiana Capitol Foundation, established to maintain work begun during the restoration effort. As a result of this program the Louisiana State Capitol has received national recognition. The Speaker of the House, Hunt Downer was awarded the Preservationist of the Year Award by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana. Articles about the restoration effort have appeared in numerous state publications and the Capitol will be featured in the February, 1999 editions of Southern Living and Preservation In Print magazines . The publicity from the project has also assisted in the recapture of original state capitol furniture and fixtures which will be displayed in the building.

    The Citizen Awareness Project is a program to foster awareness of and participation in state government, to educate the public on the legislative process and to promote the history of the state legislature and its Capitol. It was the intent of the project to bring the people of the state closer to their state government, make them more active and help them better understand the legislative process. The project includes the House of Representatives Web Site and LaTV, which provides cable coverage of committee hearings and floor debate. Also a part of the project is a set of brochures which attempts to inform citizens of state government issues and keep them abreast of newly enacted legislation. Over 15,000 copies were distributed last year and will continue.

    Coloring and activity books were designed and distributed as part of the project to provide information to students. Distribution began in August, 1997 and, to date, almost 18,000 activity books have been distributed and almost 19,000 coloring books. The books give children a fun, entertaining medium from which to learn facts about the state and its government and are available through state legislators.

    The latest completed phase of the project is a video produced in conjunction with Louisiana Public Broadcasting which examines the history, art and architecture of the State Capitol Complex and describes the functions of the legislative and executive branches of government. The objective is to give school and community groups a tool to learn more about the building and what transpires in it. The video will be shown at the State Capitol for tourists and is available to teachers and civic groups through state legislators and the House of Representatives. Copies are being distributed to all state libraries and LPB will air the program in the Fall on their educational channel.

The speaker said he is also proud of the accomplishments of this project.

"The Citizen Awareness Project provides information about state government to all our citizens, young and old. It makes the legislative process available to many who may not otherwise have an opportunity to participate. Since I became Speaker, it has been my goal to open up the process and bring citizens and government together in a working partnership."

The competition drew 180 entries mostly from the private sector.

The Lantern Awards are given each year by the Southern Public Relations Federation to recognize projects, programs, and productions that display outstanding strategy, creativity, and production skills. Awards are given at 3 levels in multiple categories. They are the Certificate of Achievement, Award of Excellence and Lantern Award.

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