FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 14, 2001
CONTACT: BRENDA HODGE
COMMUNICATION DIR.
PHONE: 225-342-9737

Reggie P. Dupre, Jr. is the newest member of the Louisiana State Senate, representing citizens in Senate District 20. The Montegut democrat, surrounded by family and friends, took the oath of office administered by First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Vanessa Guidry-Whipple during special ceremonies in the senate chamber Wednesday afternoon. Senator Dupre won a special election to fill the senate seat left vacant when former State Senator Mike Robichaux, M.D. resigned to devote more time to his medical practice.

State Senator Dupre moves to the State Senate from the House of Representatives where he was serving his second term after being re-elected without opposition. In the senate, the 43 year old businessman and attorney will continue to focus his efforts on addressing what he calls the "big three" issues important to citizens in the senate district 20 area.

"I am honored to be given the opportunity to continue to represent the citizens of the Lafourche-Terrebonne area," Senator Dupre said. "I will continue to work with my former colleagues in the House and my new colleagues in the Senate to tackle coastal erosion problems in our area; to move ahead with vital flood control projects and to address our infrastructure needs."

In the area of coastal erosion, Senator Dupre will push for the additional federal funding that is vital to efforts to halt the worst coastal land loss rate in the United States. He is confident, with the help of Louisiana’s influential congressional delegation, that some form of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) which will direct more federal money to Louisiana to battle coastal erosion will be approved. Upgrading the Golden Meadow floodgate to a lock and continuing the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection project will be top priorities on Senator Dupre’s flood control list. In the area of infrastructure needs, the new state senator will continue to focus his efforts on two major regional highway projects - the LA 1 relocation/North-South Corridor four lane project between Gramercy and Port Fouchon, with replacement of the Leeville Bridge a top priority, and the I-49 South project from Lafayette to New Orleans. He also will push for a new DOTD district based in the Lafourche-Terrebonne area to better serve the maintenance and construction needs of the area.

"These infrastructure improvements are vital to the economic development of the district and to the safety of area citizens," Senator Dupre said. "The Port Fouchon area is the fastest growing industrial development district in the country and the main economic engine of our part of the state. We cannot expect continued growth without safe and improved highways."

Senator Dupre, who officially resigned his house seat shortly before the senate swearing-in ceremony, took a moment Tuesday evening during a break in special session debate on the House floor to bid farewell to his fellow house members. He thanked the veteran legislators for their help and advice; praised the efforts of those lawmakers who came to the House with him in 1996 to form the "Pelican Group" which successfully pushed for major reforms in state government operations; and advised new legislators to seek guidance from the experienced members while keeping their independence.

Senator Dupre brings to the senate a variety of experiences as a businessman, law enforcement officer, attorney, parish council president and community leader. He is a graduate of South Terrebonne High School, holds a B.A. degree in political science from LSU and a juris doctorate from Loyola University. He and wife Yvonne Edkins Dupre have three children and two grandchildren.

(Suggested Caption) Newly elected State Senator Reggie Dupre (D-Montegut) takes the oath of office to represent senate district 25 during special ceremonies in the Louisiana Senate chamber. First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Vanessa Guidry-Whipple administered the oath.