[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 127 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE JENNIFER VIDRINE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF VILLE 
PLATTE, AND NEWLY APPOINTED BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL 
            ASSOCIATION AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute 
to an outstanding, cherished public servant from my home State of 
Louisiana. My dear friend and the mayor of the City of Ville Platte, 
Jennifer Vidrine, will soon take the top leadership position of the 
Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) as the first African-American 
woman Board President. The LMA was established in 1926 and is the 
strongest advocate for municipal government in my state. On July 30, it 
will become an even stronger and more effective organization with the 
installation of Mayor Vidrine as president.
  This is one of many ``firsts'' she is known for. In 2011, she was 
elected the first woman and African-American mayor of her fine city 
where today she continues to provide sound and caring leadership. Mayor 
Vidrine is a skilled and dedicated municipal leader with a deep passion 
for the residents she serves. On any given day, you will find Mayor 
Vidrine meeting with constituents about an array of issues affecting 
the elderly and youth, inspecting city utilities, sharing ideas with 
business leaders, and visiting local schools. Her phone never stops 
ringing. She encourages residents to call her directly on her cell 
phone, and they do. She frequently utilizes a telephone messaging 
service to keep residents informed on issues ranging from severe 
weather warnings, boil advisories, local sporting events, and the all-
important annual celebrations like the city's Smoked Meat and Louisiana 
Cotton festivals.
  She was one of the first mayors to provide free testing and 
vaccinations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working 
with state and federal officials, Mayor Vidrine was steadfast in 
instituting sound local ordinances to keep her community safe and 
provided critical personal protection equipment. She is an eloquent 
speaker who knows how to educate and motivate those of us in positions 
that can help navigate the federal bureaucracy. She never hesitates to 
speak up on behalf of the smaller towns and villages of our state 
giving them a voice of care and concern. She is an absolute force to be 
reckoned with each time she travels to Capitol Hill as one of the LMA's 
chief advocates for local government issues.
  Madam Speaker, it is a distinct honor for me to recognize this great 
leader and advocate for our great State of Louisiana, The Honorable 
Jennifer Vidrine in such a public way. I am confident she will have a 
significant and lasting impact on the LMA for years to come. I am 
extremely proud to call her my dear friend and now, Madam President.

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