[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GARRET GRAVES

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that 
I rise with every member of the Louisiana House delegation to 
commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Louisiana Municipal 
Association. On January 28, 1926, the first Louisiana Conference of 
Mayors was held to adopt their Constitution, and elect Mayor F.J. Foisy 
of Alexandria the first president of the organization. That group would 
eventually become what is known today as the Louisiana Municipal 
Association. Since its inception, the LMA has tirelessly served 
municipalities of our state, thereby improving the quality of life for 
the citizens of our cities, towns, and villages. Today, the LMA 
zealously represents the interest of its 305 members, including 127 
villages, 112 towns, 64 cities, and 2 parishes. It is my honor to 
commend this great organization for its non-partisan commitment to 
legislative advocacy, education, technical assistance, and a myriad of 
member services that enable municipal governments to run efficiently 
and effectively. One of the great advantages of the LMA, is that it 
provides a forum for municipal leaders to meet and assist each other in 
solving problems common to all municipalities.
  To help fulfill its three-fold mission of education, advocacy, and 
service, the LMA has created a variety of initiatives. The LMA holds 
several events each year; an annual convention, a Mid-Winter 
Conference, ten district meetings, a Municipal Day during the state's 
legislative session, and 15 or more annual webinars. 2016 has been 
deemed the ``Year of Education'' to launch the initiative for enhanced 
education benefitting municipal entities and their employees. It will 
be a year-long celebration commencing with the LMA's Mid-Winter 
Conference in February.
  The LMA has staff dedicated to state and federal legislative 
advocacy, an effort that has been successful on both fronts. On the 
federal level, the LMA played a critical role in the enactment of the 
Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 by joining forces 
with the National League of Cities and other coastal state municipal 
leagues to lead the charge in lobbying Congress to enact critical 
reforms to the Biggert Waters Act of 2012, thereby facilitating 
affordable homeowner flood insurance in Louisiana and across the 
country. On the state level, the LMA has been a strong voice for 
Louisiana municipalities in efforts to fight blight, promote law 
enforcement, maintain funding, and enhance economic growth.
  To provide excellent member services, the LMA has formed two wholly-
owned subsidiaries: Risk Management, Inc., which manages a self-
insurance fund that addresses the insurance and liability needs of 
members; and the Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services 
Bureau, Inc., which provides outstanding and economical operational 
support programs to its members. In addition, the LMA boasts two 
political subdivisions: Unemployment Compensation Fund and the 
Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority. Other notable services, affiliate 
organizations, and advisory organizations include: the Computer and 
Internet Technology Assistance Program, which provides municipalities 
with free computer equipment and internet access to link them to the 
digital world; the Municipal Employees Retirement System; Louisiana 
Association of Chiefs of Police; Louisiana Conference of Mayors; 
Louisiana City Attorneys Association; Louisiana Recreation and Parks 
Association; Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association; Louisiana 
Association of Tax Administrators, Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, 
Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates, Louisiana Municipal Black 
Caucus Association, Louisiana Rural Water Association, Louisiana 
Association of Municipal Secretaries and Assistants, and the Building 
Officials Association of Louisiana.
  The Louisiana Municipal Association's Executive Board is currently 
under the direction of President Mayor Carroll Breaux of Springhill. 
President Breaux's Executive Committee is composed of First Vice 
President Mayor Barney Arceneaux of Gonzales; Second Vice President 
Mayor Lawrence Henagan of DeQuincy; Immediate Past President Mayor 
David Camardelle of Grand Isle; and District A Vice President Mayor 
Jimmy Williams of Sibley. The Executive Director is Ronnie Harris, 
former mayor of Gretna for 28 years.
  From its humble beginnings consisting of only 29 forward-thinking 
mayors seeking to empower their communities, the LMA has evolved into 
an exemplary organization earning the esteem and trust of local, state, 
and federal elected officials.
  The LMA exemplifies the enthusiastic cooperation that is necessary to 
achieve a better and brighter Louisiana. For 90 years, they have 
advanced with technology, all while maintaining the core values that 
drive their success. Let's all send our warmest congratulations to the 
Louisiana Municipal Association for 90 years of excellence in the State 
of Louisiana.

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