Secretary of State Jay Dardenne to present Morrison Lecture Nov. 6
Contact: Christina Chapple
10/29/07
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HAMMOND – Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne will present Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual James H. Morrison Lecture on Politics and Government Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre.
The free lecture, which is open to the public, is sponsored by Southeastern’s Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The event honors the late James H. “Jimmy” Morrison, the Hammond native who represented Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1943-1967.
The lecture explores critical and topical themes pertaining to public policy. Previous speakers have included U.S. Senators John Breaux and Mary Landrieu, U.S. Representatives Lindy Boggs and W.J. “Billy” Tauzin, state Senators John Hainkel and Melvin “Kip” Holden, state Rep. Henry “Tank” Powell, and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Jack A. “Jay” Blossman Jr.
Dardenne, who was elected to his first full term as Secretary of State in the Oct. 20 primary, will present “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi,” a lively and colorful look at Louisiana’s culture, demography, history, music and politics.
After serving 15 years in the Louisiana Senate, Dardenne was first elected Secretary of State in 2006 in a special election, replacing Democratic incumbent Al Ater. During his legislative service, he chaired the Senate Finance Committee and authored legislation establishing the motion picture tax credit and creating a single Board of Ethics. He also sponsored constitutional amendments establishing victims’ rights and providing funding sources to fight coastal erosion. In 2003, he was named National Republican Legislator of the Year.
He is an active community volunteer, having hosted the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy Association for more than 25 years and served for two years on the National MDA Board of Directors. He chaired the local organizing committee for the National Senior Olympics and received the Community Leadership Award from Leadership Greater Baton Rouge.
Dardenne is an attorney and a graduate of Louisiana State University and the LSU Law Center.
For additional information about the Morrison Lecture, call the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies, 985-549-2151.
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