For Immediate Release
Contact: Sheila McCant
LA House of Representatives
Office of Public Information
Phone: (225) 342-9795
FAX: (225) 219-4380
February 26, 1999
SPEAKER TO VISIT LINCOLN/CLAIBORNE PARISHES
Louisiana House Speaker Hunt Downer will visit facilities in House District 11 on Wednesday, March 3 as part of his ongoing Speaker's Outreach Initiative. He was invited and will be joined by state Rep. Pinkie C. Wilkerson, the representative for the district.
Downer will begin his visit at the Ruston Developmental Center touring the World War II museum at 8:30 a.m. The Speaker will then tour the campus of Grambling State University from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. After a radio interview by KRGM Radio at 11:00, Downer will hold a public hearing, along with Rep. Wilkerson, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Rep. Wilkerson stresses that the public is invited and encouraged to attend the public hearing and campus tour.
Downer's last tour is at the David Wade Correctional Center at 2:00 p.m. in Homer.
The Speaker's Outreach Initiative is a program designed by Downer, in conjunction with the Legislative Outreach Initiative. The intent of these programs is to give legislators a first-hand look at agencies and facilities on which they cast votes and an opportunity to learn about districts other than their own. As Speaker, Downer has vowed to visit all house districts in an effort to better understand the diversity of the state and the problems of the various districts. He compares his role to a corporate executive who oversees a number of branch offices. "The executive wouldn't think of making decisions about these offices without visiting them to look at their operations. I'm doing the same," he said.
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