[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 36 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LOUISIANA STATE REP. RONNIE EDWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 2016

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Louisiana State Representative Ronnie Edwards, a dear friend and 
model public servant. Rep. Edwards passed away on February 24, 2016, at 
the age of 63 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
   Rep. Edwards was born in Woodville, Mississippi on July 20, 1952, 
and was a long time resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An 
administrator with over 40 years of experience in government and 
industry, Rep. Edwards formed lasting relationships and partnerships 
with education institutions, nonprofits, faith leaders and elected 
officials to effect change through her community development work.
   In 1992, Rep. Edwards founded the Urban Restoration Enhancement 
Corporation (UREC) as a trusted and credible community development 
organization. With the assistance of many community leaders and 
supporters, her tenacity resulted in: safe and affordable housing for 
families; the establishment of Louisiana's first home for grandparents 
raising grandchildren in Baton Rouge; innovative youth enrichment 
initiatives; small business training and development; and the 
development of the Security Dads initiative to combat violence.
   Rep. Edwards was elected to represent District 5 on the Baton Rouge 
Metro Council in 2009. She served on the Council for six years before 
being elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in November 
2015.
   In December 2013, Rep. Edwards was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic 
cancer. But for the first year and a half, she did not stop her work at 
the local level and maintained perfect attendance at Metro Council 
meetings, where she was a strong advocate of health living initiatives, 
cancer screenings and affordable housing. Rep. Edwards' diagnosis and 
experience in the health care system was motivation for her to run for 
State Representative because she wanted to be an advocate for ways to 
bring health care access to more citizens.
   Ronnie was a talented and compassionate legislator, but more 
importantly she was a friend. The news of her passing is not only 
devastating to me, it is a tremendous loss for the entire state. She 
committed her life to serving her constituents and fighting for those 
who needed it the most.
   As we mourn her loss we must honor her legacy by renewing our 
commitment to the work she fought so hard to complete. Louisiana has 
lost a lion, but her memory will live on forever.
   Mr. Speaker, my deepest condolences are with her family as they go 
through this difficult time.

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