Congratulation to Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu on his election on February 7 to be the next Mayor of New Orleans. Mitch was chosen in the first primary by almost 70% of the voters which was unprecedented. Mitch"s five opponents never had a chance the vote was so overwhelming.
Mr. Landrieu was a four term state representative and has been Lt. Governor for six years. His political life is a tribute to a family that believes in public service. Father Moon Landrieu was elected Mayor and served two terms ending in 1978. His sister Mary has been a U.S. Senator for twelve years and another sister Madeleine is a Civil District Court Judge. They are a family with courage that never run from a fight.
Mayor elect Landrieu understands the needs of the city and its people and the voters responded. The vote had no racial over tones and the majority of white and black voters gave their approval to Mr. Landrieu. He carried all but one of over 300 precincts in the city, that is how broad the consensus was for the mayor elect. There was no people division on this election day.
Mayor elect Landrieu faces a lot of challenges. The aftermath of Katrina is still with the city, the crime rate, streets that are in terrible condition, jobs, parts of the city that are dying and a host of other problems. But Landrieu is a political person who has heart and can get things done. He understands how government works and how it can be a positive factor in people's lives. He also understands what public service means. The following statements were made by Landrieu in his acceptance speech. It is worth while to read and hear the words again because it defines who Landrieu is as a person.
The people of New Orleans have called us to work hard. So we should accept the call. The people have asked us to sacrifice, and so we should. But the only way to do that is for us to seek, to find and to secure higher common ground where we come together as one people and do what is necessary to secure our future.
Every day during the campaign, I carried this card in my hand, and you should all have one, and you know what it says? One team, one fight, one voice, one city. One team, one fight, one voice, one city.
Those are very important statements and I believe Mitch Landrieu will govern accordingly.
